Overview

• Additional District Judge Kashika M. Prasad, a single parent, had her six-month leave request from June to December rejected without reasons under the high court’s child care policy
• Jharkhand High Court rules entitle judicial officers to up to 730 days of child care leave during their service tenure
• A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih questioned why Prasad did not first seek relief at the high court but noted urgency concerns related to the summer recess
• Notices have been issued to both the Jharkhand High Court and the state government, directing them to respond within a week
• Prasad’s petition highlights her disposal of over 4,000 cases in two and a half years and underscores the broader challenges faced by single-parent judges