Allowing third pregnancy leave: Madras HC to TN govt

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday ruled that the Tamil Nadu government order limiting maternity leave to 12 weeks for third pregnancy is unreasonable and violates the law ruled by the Supreme Court.A division bench of Justice R Suresh Kumar and Justice N Senthilkumar dismissed the order dated March 27, 2026, of Chief District Judge Villupuram, which had dismissed the petitioner’s submission that she was on maternity leave between February 2, 2026 and February 1, 2027, and the order of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Villupuram, which had directed her to rejoin on April 27, 2026.“Such restriction is contrary to the judgments of the Supreme Court and this court. The same cannot be sanctioned by this court… During pregnancy, whether it is the first, second or third time, the pain endured by the mother is the same and so is the prenatal and postnatal care,” the bench said.“Therefore, the government cannot show any discrimination while granting maternity leave benefits to employees, especially maternity leave for the third pregnancy,” the high court said.