Delhi High Court Strikes Down Penalty Against Woman Officer for Childcare Leave

The Delhi High Court has quashed a penalty imposed on a woman officer of the Central Secretariat Service for taking leave to care for her minor daughters, ruling that caregiving responsibilities cannot justify disciplinary action.

The officer had repeatedly applied for Child Care Leave (CCL) during her daughter’s board examinations, but her requests were denied, leading to a reduction of pay, withheld increments, and impact on future progression.

The court observed that penalizing an officer for attending to family needs, particularly childcare, violates constitutional principles of gender equality and the right to family life,and noted that the punishment was manifestly disproportionate to the alleged misconduct.

[Ritu Ravi Prakash Vs Union of India]