HC seeks CDLU’s reply on denial of paid maternity leave to part-time teacher

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, on May 27 in a case concerning the denial of paid maternity leave to a part-time contractual teacher. The notice was issued during the first hearing of a writ petition filed by Dr Ravi and another petitioner. The petition challenges the university’s decision to grant maternity leave without pay, calling it a violation of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. According to the petition, the teacher had applied for maternity leave on April 23 under Sections 5 and 6 of the Act. However, the university, in its letter dated May 9 approved the leave from May 1 but without salary. The petitioners argued that this decision violates the legal and constitutional rights of the employee. During the hearing, Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and directed the university to respond. Advocate Puneet Gupta appeared on behalf of CDLU and sought time to obtain instructions from the university authorities. Advocate Parmender Singh, appearing for the petitioners, assured the court that he would provide a copy of the petition to the university’s counsel the same day. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 4. In the meantime, CDLU is expected to submit its formal reply. Parmender Singh contended that the university’s action has caused undue hardship, especially to part-time female faculty members who already face challenges in securing basic employment rights. He pointed out that several requests and written representations had been made earlier to the university’s Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, but no resolution was offered. He further emphasised that the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld that maternity, paternity and child care leave are constitutional entitlements for all employees, irrespective of whether they are regular, contractual or part-time. “The court’s notice shows a growing concern over how public institutions are repeatedly ignoring statutory protections for working women,” Singh said. “This case is not just about one teacher, but about many others who face similar issues across government institutions,” he added.

Haryana Tribune