– LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court on Tuesday held that a second maternity leave cannot be denied merely because it is sought within two years of the first, observing that statutory rights under the law override provisions of the financial handbook. The order was passed by Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar of the high court’s Lucknow bench while hearing a petition by Manisha Yadav, who had challenged an April 4, 2026 order rejecting her request for a second maternity leave. The petitioner argued that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is a beneficial legislation and its provisions must take precedence. The state government, however, relied on Rule 153(1) of the financial handbook to contend that a minimum gap of two years between two maternity leaves is mandatory. Referring to earlier rulings, the high court said that the Maternity Benefit Act, being a law enacted by Parliament, would prevail over any executive instructions or provisions in the financial handbook. In case of inconsistency, the provisions of the Act would have an overriding effect. The court noted that the petitioner had her first child in 2021 and had applied for a second maternity leave in 2022, which was rejected on untenable grounds. Setting aside the impugned order, the court directed the competent authority to grant her maternity leave from April 6, 2026, to October 2, 2026.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Amphibious Combat Power in Bhuj; Creek Area Dominance on DisplayPahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary: Family Recalls Heroism Of Adil ShahAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam Anniversary123PhotostoriesAnimals that sleep the least and how they survive on minimal restHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price
LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court on Tuesday held that a second maternity leave cannot be denied merely because it is sought within two years of the first, observing that statutory rights under the law override provisions of the financial handbook. The order was passed by Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar of the high court’s Lucknow bench while hearing a petition by Manisha Yadav, who had challenged an April 4, 2026 order rejecting her request for a second maternity leave. The petitioner argued that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is a beneficial legislation and its provisions must take precedence. The state government, however, relied on Rule 153(1) of the financial handbook to contend that a minimum gap of two years between two maternity leaves is mandatory. Referring to earlier rulings, the high court said that the Maternity Benefit Act, being a law enacted by Parliament, would prevail over any executive instructions or provisions in the financial handbook. In case of inconsistency, the provisions of the Act would have an overriding effect. The court noted that the petitioner had her first child in 2021 and had applied for a second maternity leave in 2022, which was rejected on untenable grounds. Setting aside the impugned order, the court directed the competent authority to grant her maternity leave from April 6, 2026, to October 2, 2026.
