Petitioner is the Managing Partner of Kadampuzha Hospital, Kanjirappally.

Respondents 3 to 5 are working as nurses in the said institution. The first respondent issued three notices, Exts.P1, P1 (a) and P1 (b) to the petitioner alleging that the petitioner failed to comply with the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act in the cases of respondents 3 to 5. The petitioner sent a reply Ext. P2 stating that hospitals were not covered by the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act. Thereafter a notice was issued by the first respondent stating that respondents 3 to 5 were not allowed prenatal leave as contemplated under the Act and requiring the petitioner to show cause as to why an amount of Rs.1031.25 should not be directed to be paid to T. A. Thressiakutty, the fifth respondent towards maternity benefit and medical bonus. On receipt of this the petitioner sent Ext. P4 reiterating his contention and pointing out that the Government have issued notification No. LDS 2156/57 L & LAD dated 17-4-1957 published in the Kerala Gazette. dated 23-4-57 exempting establishments in the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin area like doctors consulting rooms, dispensaries attached to doctors cons