Madras High Court : Maternity Leave Can be Included in Bond Period

The Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to return the educational certificates of Dr. E. Krithikaa, who was denied them for taking maternity leave during her mandatory two-year bonded service after postgraduate studies.

The division bench ruled that the 12-month maternity leave must be counted within the bond period. Citing the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, especially Section 27, and Supreme Court precedents affirming women’s fundamental right to maternity benefits under Article 21. 

The court held that contractual bond conditions cannot override statutory maternity rights, granting equal protections to both regular and non-regular government employees.