Madras High Court Slams Magistrate for Denying Maternity Leave

The Madras High Court criticized the Kodavasal Magistrate and Thiruvarur District Judge for rejecting an office assistant’s maternity leave due to an unregistered marriage.

Stating "No doubt, Maternity Leave is granted to married women. A marriage need not be compulsorily registered."

A bench held that proof beyond doubt was not required unless disputed. The court termed the decision "inhuman" and noted that judicial officers must adopt a pragmatic approach.

It ordered the Registrar General to pay ₹1 lakh compensation within four weeks for the petitioner’s mental agony and directed her maternity leave to be granted as per entitlement.