Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy: High Court Recalls Stay Order; Fresh Hearing Tomorrow

The Karnataka menstrual leave policy saw a major twist today after the Karnataka High Court recalled the interim stay it had issued earlier today. The stay order had temporarily halted the state government's notification that granted one paid menstrual leave per month to women employees across Karnataka. According to a report by Bar & Bench, the matter will now undergo a fresh hearing tomorrow.

High Court First Stayed the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy, Then Recalled It

Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court stayed the Karnataka menstrual leave policy notification dated November 20, which mandated one-day paid menstrual leave for working

As reported by Deccan Herald, the stay order was issued while hearing a petition filed by the Bangalore Hotels Association, which argued that the state government overstepped its powers by making menstrual leave mandatory through an executive notification.

"However, shortly before the court's lunch break, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty urgently mentioned the matter and requested the judge to reconsider the stay. Justice Jyoti M agreed and recalled the stay order, deciding to hear the matter again on Wednesday." as per the Bar & Bench Report.

Why Was the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy Challenged?

The petition by the Bangalore Hotels Association raised several objections to the Karnataka menstrual leave government order.

The association argued that "This notification does not even indicate under which power the government has issued it.

The association claimed that compulsory menstrual leave could impose major financial burdens on employers and have "serious civil consequences". They argued that the government should have discussed the policy with industries before announcing it. Now, the issue stands open once again for a full hearing.

All About Karnataka's Menstrual Leave Policy

On November 20, Karnataka introduced a menstrual leave policy granting one paid day off per month, up to 12 days a year, to working women aged 18-52. This was applicable in sectors like government departments, PSUs and private establishments registered under the Factories Act, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the Plantation Workers Act, the Beedi and Cigar Workers Act and the Motor Transport Workers Act. To avail the leave, no medical certificate was required as per the orders, and the employee can self‑declare. Also, the leave was supposed to be used in the same month and cannot be carried over or clubbed with other leave.