'Jethani' Not Part Of 'Family' Unless Brothers Share Common House & Kitchen: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court quashed the cancellation of Anganwadi worker Kumari Sonam’s appointment, holding that her jethani (brother’s wife), who lived in a different house without a common kitchen, could not be treated as part of the same family.

Authorities had cancelled Sonam’s selection, citing a government order that bars more than one woman from the same family from being appointed in a single Anganwadi centre.

Justice Ajit Kumar ruled that “family” under this rule means members sharing residence and kitchen.

Since Sonam’s sister-in-law lived separately, her removal was illegal. The Court ordered reinstatement with arrears.

[Kumari Sonam v State of U.P.]