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Madras High Court Rules in Favour of Maternity Leave for Third Pregnancy
In a landmark decision delivered on September 6, 2025, the Madras High Court overturned a district court’s ruling that denied maternity leave to a woman expecting her third child. This ruling reaffirms that maternity benefits are not to be limited by the number of pregnancies but are fundamentally about supporting women during one of life’s most critical phases
The Case in Brief
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Who? The petitioner, B. Ranjitha, a junior assistant at the Ulundurpettai court, who joined service on April 1, 2025.
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What? She filed for maternity leave from August 18, 2025, to August 17, 2026, expecting to deliver on September 11, 2025.
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Earlier Judgment: A district judge denied the request, citing a policy that maternity leave applies only to the first two pregnancies.
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High Court’s Verdict: Justices R. Suresh Kumar and Hemant Chandangoudar held the reasoning to be “illogical and thoroughly unreasonable,” setting aside the lower court’s order and directing leave be granted as per entitlement.
Why It Matters
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Legal Clarity Over Policy Gaps
The ruling puts the focus on the rationale behind maternity leave—support during childbirth—not on arbitrary limitations tied to birth order. -
Supreme Court’s Broader Doctrine
This verdict aligns with an earlier Supreme Court judgment in May 2025, which declared maternity leave a constitutional right, not merely a matter of policy or fairness. -
Guidance for Employers and Institutions
The judgment sends a clear signal to courts, government bodies, and private institutions that rejecting maternity benefits based on a woman having had multiple pregnancies is indefensible and legally vulnerable.
Final Thoughts
This ruling by the Madras High Court marks a strong step toward gender-equitable workplace norms. By dismantling the third-pregnancy barrier, it reinforces a principle fundamental to both humane employment and constitutional dignity—that maternity benefits are non-discriminatory, essential, and unconditional. As courts and policymakers alike observe and adapt, this decision inches us closer to a more compassionate and just work environment for all women.
