Ranchi, May 29: The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Jharkhand Government and the Jharkhand High Court, seeking their response on a petition filed by a woman district judge who was denied Child Care Leave (CCL), alleging gender bias and violation of service rules.
The matter was heard by a vacation bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal, which agreed that the issue raised significant concerns regarding workplace equity, gender justice, and constitutional protections under Article 14 and 15.
The petitioner, a woman judicial officer serving in Jharkhand, approached the apex court after her request for CCL — sought for the care of her minor child with medical needs — was rejected. She claims the denial was arbitrary and contrary to both High Court circulars and service rules that allow CCL for eligible employees, especially women officers.
The plea argues that while executive employees are often granted CCL as per the DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) guidelines, judicial officers, particularly women, are denied parity in treatment under similar circumstances.
The Court has asked Jharkhand government and the registrar general of the Jharkhand High Court to file their responses within two weeks. The case is likely to be heard next in early July.
The outcome of the case could have broader implications for child care leave policies to women across the judicial services in India.
