The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that women doctors cannot be denied salaries during maternity leave once leave is granted under service rules. The Court ruled maternity benefits are constitutional rights flowing from dignity, equality and reproductive autonomy, not government charity.
The Supreme Court refused immediate relief to IPS officer Urvashi Sengar, holding that joining Phase-II training midway would undermine its purpose. However, the Court orally agreed that her challenge to the 1993 MHA Office Memorandum on maternity-related interruptions appeared to have substantial legal merit.
The Supreme Court of India ruled that maternity leave is a fundamental right and cannot be denied based on previous children from a prior marriage. The ruling arose from a case involving a teacher denied leave for her third child. Maternity leave is now affirmed as a part of women’s reproductive rights.
The Supreme Court criticized the Madhya Pradesh High Court for dismissing women judges based on performance metrics during their probation, emphasizing the necessity for equitable treatment regardless of gender. The justices voiced concerns over mental health impacts on judges and will revisit the matter on December 12, following ongoing appeals related to terminations.
Justice Hima Kohli, at a commemorative event for “100 Years of Women in Law in India,” highlighted the lack of female Attorney General and Solicitor General appointments in 75 years, emphasizing ongoing gender bias. She identified barriers like work-life balance issues, stereotypes, and limited opportunities, calling for reforms to empower women in the legal field.
The Rajasthan High Court ruled that all working women, regardless of the establishment type, are entitled to 180 days of maternity leave as per the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017. The Court instructed the governments to ensure private sector compliance. This decision stemmed from a case involving a woman employed at RSRTC, emphasizing women’s fundamental rights and maternal well-being.