Allahabad High Court denies maternity leave for fourth child

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a government employee, Shashi Kumari, seeking maternity leave for her fourth child. The court ruled that under existing service rules, maternity leave is not applicable for a fourth child if the employee already has two or more living children.

Kumari had challenged a June 19 order from the Block Education Officer in Sambhal, which had denied her request for six months of maternity leave. Her legal counsel argued that she had not utilized maternity leave for her first three children and therefore should be entitled to the benefit for the fourth. However, the state government's counsel maintained that current regulations do not permit such leave for employees with more than two living children.

Justice Manju Rani Chauhan's bench noted that according to the Financial Handbook provisions, maternity leave is typically granted for 180 days, but a key condition stipulates that it cannot be sanctioned if a female government servant has two or more living children. The court declined to interfere with the administrative decision.