Can't Deny Child-Care Leaves To Mother Of Disabled Child: Supreme Court
NDTV
The top court also ordered that the Centre be made party to the case and sought the assistance of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati in adjudicating it.
Observing the issue as "serious", the Supreme Court on Monday held that denying child-care leaves to a mother who is taking care of a child with disabilities, would violate the constitutional duty of the State to ensure equal participation of women in the workforce.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala also directed setting up of a committee headed by the chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh to take a policy decision on the issue of grant of child-care leaves (CCLs) to the working women having children with disabilities.
It said the plea raised a "serious" issue and "participation of women in the workforce is not a matter of privilege but a constitutional requirement and the State as a model employer cannot be oblivious of this".
