High Court restores state’s menstrual leave order hours after blocking It
Babushahi Bureau
Bengaluru, December 9, 2025: In a dramatic turn of events, the Karnataka High Court on Monday withdrew an interim order that had temporarily halted the State government’s notification granting one paid menstrual leave per month to women employees across various establishments.
Earlier in the day, Justice Jyoti M had stayed the implementation of the policy while hearing a petition filed by the Bangalore Hotels Association, which questioned the legality and feasibility of the new rules.
However, before the court broke for lunch, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty urgently mentioned the matter, requesting that the stay be revisited. Accepting the State’s plea, the judge agreed to recall the order and listed the case for further hearing tomorrow.
The stay order was initially granted after the petitioner argued that the State government lacked the authority to enforce menstrual leave through an executive notification. The association contended that the notification did not specify the statutory provisions under which it was issued.
According to the petition, the mandate applied to all establishments governed by the Factories Act, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the Plantation Labour Act, the Beedi and Cigar Workers Act, and the Motor Transport Workers Act.
The association maintained that these laws already provide adequate leave mechanisms and that the decision to offer menstrual leave should be left to individual employers.The petitioners further argued that compulsory menstrual leave could impose additional financial burdens on employers and potentially disrupt business operations. They also submitted that the government issued the policy without consulting affected sectors, despite the significant administrative impact it could have.
After hearing preliminary arguments from the association’s counsel, Advocate Prashant BK, the court initially agreed to pause the government’s notification and sought a formal response from the State.
Shortly after the stay was pronounced, Advocate General Shetty intervened, urging the court to revisit the decision. Taking note of the State’s request, Justice Jyoti M recalled the stay order, allowing the notification to remain in force until the matter is heard in detail.
The case will now be taken up again on Tuesday, with both sides expected to present more comprehensive arguments.