New Delhi: The Supreme Court has called for the Jharkhand High Court’s position on a petition filed by an Additional District Judge from the state. The judge, identified as a single parent, is contesting the refusal to grant her child care leave.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and including Justice AG Masih issued formal notice to the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday. The Court directed a response within one week, permitting service via email to the High Court and its standing counsel. The bench indicated its intention to resolve the matter promptly at the next hearing, stating: “(Notice) returnable in one week. Liberty to serve standing counsel of Jharkhand. Let the High Court be served through email. Parties are put on notice and we shall dispose it of on the next date.”
Representing the petitioner-judge, her counsel emphasized her strong professional record, pointing to her “fantastic” Annual Confidential Reports as evidence of her proficiency in duties. The counsel highlighted the apparent inconsistency in the denial, stating: “Please see her Annual Confidential Records. She was fantastic … she sought 6 months child care leave. High Court allows 730 days.”
The Supreme Court bench questioned why the judge approached it directly instead of first seeking relief through the Jharkhand High Court’s judicial process. The counsel explained that the petitioner requires urgent relief, and under the High Court’s rules, her case wouldn’t be considered sufficiently urgent to be listed before the summer vacation concludes. Accepting this explanation for the direct approach, the top court proceeded to issue the notice and schedule the matter for a decisive hearing next week.
