1 month ago
Telangana High Court Rules on Maternity Leave for Twins
The Telangana High Court has ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
The judgment could have a wider impact on women government employees who are denied maternity benefits because their first pregnancy resulted in multiple births.
The court directed the authorities to grant the lecturer maternity leave from April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026 with full pay and allowances.
The Telangana High Court ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
The judgment could have a wider impact on women government employees who are denied maternity benefits because their first pregnancy resulted in multiple births.
The court directed the authorities to grant the lecturer maternity leave from April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026 with full pay and allowances.
The Telangana government and TGSWREIS defended their decision, stating that the petitioner already had two surviving children and was ineligible for maternity leave under the rules.
- Who
- Jadi Swarupa Rani, a government lecturer with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS)
- What
- The Telangana High Court ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
- Where
- Telangana High Court
- When
- The judgment was delivered on July 15.
- Why
- The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
Petitioner's Argument
Government's Argument
Definition of a Delivery
Petitioner's Argument
The petitioner argued that her first pregnancy resulting in twins should be treated as a single delivery for the purpose of maternity leave.
Government's Argument
The government argued that the petitioner already had two surviving children and was ineligible for maternity leave under the rules.
Interpretation of Rules
Petitioner's Argument
The petitioner contended that a literal reading of the rules would defeat the object of maternity leave legislation.
Government's Argument
The government stated that sanctioning maternity leave contrary to the fundamental rules would invite audit objections and amount to irregular payment of salary and allowances.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Jadi Swarupa Rani
- Court
- Telangana High Court
- Date of Judgment
- July 15
- Maternity Leave Period
- April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026
- Relevant Rule
- Rule 101(a) of the Telangana Fundamental Rules and government order Ms. No. 50, dated May 17, 2014
Quotes
Justice K Sarath
Justice of Telangana High Court
“"The said contention of the respondents is not acceptable in the light of peculiar circumstances as the petitioner delivered twins in her first pregnancy… The respondent authorities have to grant maternity leave to the petitioner for her second delivery by considering her leave application,"”
indianexpress.com
“"The biological occurrence of birth of a single child or twins is not under control of the petitioner… The respondents in the instant case cannot deny the maternity leave of the petitioner for her second delivery as the same is in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution,"”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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