New Delhi, Sept. 7 -- The Delhi High Court has underscored the need for courts to adopt a sensitive and humane approach towards women lawyers facing maternity-related difficulties, holding that a litigant cannot be saddled with heavy costs when sufficient cause for the counsel's absence has been duly demonstrated.

Justice Ajay Digpaul set aside a cost of Rs 25,000 imposed on petitioner Dilbagh Singh while granting him relief in a dispute arising out of a civil suit pending before a Trial Court at Tis Hazari Courts.

The petitioner had sought another opportunity to cross-examine the respondent's witness after his opportunity was closed. The counsel representing him, Advocate Aditi Drall, had partially cross-examined the witness earlier, b...