Srinagar, July 12 -- Holding that maternity benefits are a constitutional right and not a matter of state charity, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has set aside a government communication that denied pay and allowances to senior resident doctors during maternity leave.

The court directed the Union Territory administration to release their full salary for the leave period as well as the corresponding extension of their residency.

The judgment came on a petition filed by Dr Sonakshi Gupta and other senior residents and tutors engaged under the Jammu and Kashmir Medical and Dental Education (Appointment on Academic Arrangement Basis) Rules, 2020.

The petitioners challenged a communication issued on October 14, 2025, which, ac...