RITU RAVI PRAKASH vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on : 18.09.2025 Pronounced on: 20.11.2025 + W.P.(C) 15193/2021 & CM APPL. 47854/2021 RITU RAVI PRAKASH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Rajesh Katyal and Ms.Seema Katyal, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Ranvir Singh, SPC with Mr. Vikas Kumar Singh, Adv. (through VC) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN JUDGMENT MADHU JAIN, J. 1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the Order dated 29.06.2021 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Tribunal’) in O.A. No. 1289/2020, titled Ritu Ravi Prakash v. Union of India., whereby the learned Tribunal dismissed the O.A. filed by the petitioner herein and upheld the penalty order passed by the Disciplinary Authority. BRIEF FACTS: 2. The brief facts leading to the filing of the present petition are that the petitioner, Smt. Ritu Ravi Prakash, is serving as an Assistant Section Officer in the Central Secretariat Service. The petitioner is the mother of two daughters, namely Ms. Vidishaa Prakash, born on Signature Not Verified Signed By:RENUKA W.P.(C) 15193/2021 Page 1 of 18 NEGI Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:56:21 31.03.1995, and Ms. Ravisha Prakash, born on 06.02.1998. During the academic years 2012–2016, both her daughters were pursuing studies in Classes X and XII, and the petitioner had applied for Child Care Leave (CCL) on several occasions for their examinations and related needs. The leave, however, was not sanctioned on the occasions detailed hereinafter, and the subsequent period of her absence from duty became the subject of disciplinary proceedings. 3. The record shows that while posted in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Af