The Bombay High Court has ruled that a surrogate mother is entitled to a maternity leave of six months like any other pregnant woman. In an order delivered by a bench comprising justices Anoop Mohta and GS Kulkarni on Friday, the court said no clause in the Child Adoption Leave and Rules for government employees denies a surrogate mother maternity leave, PTI reported.

The judges directed Central Railway to grant 180 days maternity leave to an employee, who had filed a petition in the court challenging a decision made by the authorities to reject her leave application. CR had refused her leave saying no provision in the rules granted maternity leave to surrogate mothers. The high court has scheduled the matter for disposal on March 11.