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 has held that a consensual physical relationship between two unmarried adults cannot, by itself, be used to question their character. The Court ordered the appointment of a Telangana police constable candidate whose selection was cancelled over a criminal case arising from a failed relationship.
The Supreme Court held that public employment must be filled strictly according to prescribed qualifications, observing that allowing overqualified candidates to occupy posts meant for lower-qualified applicants unfairly deprives genuinely eligible and deserving candidates of employment opportunities intended for them under recruitment rules.