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4h ago

Supreme Court Orders Relief for Jharkhand Judge, Directs Posting in Hazaribagh or Bokaro Through 2026 Exams

The bench framed the order as a test of judicial empathy, giving the high court two weeks to implement it.

On June 11, the Supreme Court recorded that the Jharkhand High Court allowed the officer 92 days of child care leave (CCL) only after a firm nudge from the top court. (HT PHOTO)

Overview

  • The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand High Court to keep the Additional District Judge in Hazaribagh or transfer her to Bokaro until March–April 2026 to accommodate her son's board examinations.
  • The bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said high courts must act as guardians to their officers and warned against treating such matters as issues of prestige.
  • The case is listed again on September 8, with the court signaling it may issue a binding order if its direction is not followed within the two-week window.
  • The petitioner, a single parent from the Scheduled Caste category, challenged her April transfer from Hazaribagh to Dumka, citing inadequate CBSE schooling in Dumka and seeking a posting closer to her son's school.
  • Her request for six months of child care leave was initially curtailed to 92 days after Supreme Court prodding, despite rules cited in court that allow up to 730 days of such leave, while the high court and state argued broader concessions could set an undesirable precedent.