Bombay HC Strikes Down AAI's Denial Of Maternity Leave
The AAI had cited its regulations, stating that the employee was ineligible for maternity leave as she already had two children
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The Bombay High Court ruled on Friday in favor of a woman employee, emphasising the importance of considerate treatment towards pregnant women in the workplace.
The court canceled a communication issued by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) denying maternity leave to the employee because she already had two children. Justices AS Chandurkar and Jitendra Jain stressed the significance of honoring and dignifying women in the workforce, regardless of their duties or workplace.
The ruling came in response to petitions filed by the Airports Authority of India Workers Union and Kanakavali Raja Armugam, who challenged the AAI's refusal to grant maternity leave benefits to Kanakavali.
The AAI had cited its regulations, stating that Kanakavali was ineligible for maternity leave as she already had two children. However, the court interpreted the regulations liberally, emphasising the importance of maternity leave benefits for women's health and well-being. It directed the AAI to grant Kanakavali maternity leave benefits within eight weeks.
