Denial Of Maternity Rights To Contractual Employees Is Against The Principle Of Social Justice – Delhi High Court

[1]The Delhi High Court has decided that a woman’s entitlement to maternity leave is an essential aspect of her life and cannot be taken away because of her line of work. The case concerned an ad hoc female attendant at a Delhi University dormitory who was fired after being denied pay for her maternity leave. In accordance with the Maternity Benefits Act of 1961, the court granted her reinstatement and awarded her maternity benefits. She also received Rs 50,000 as payment for the wrongful termination. The court also cited a January 2022 notification from Delhi University that requires 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for women hired on a contract or as-needed basis.

[1] W.P.(C) 2959/2023