By the Court.—Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for the State respondents.

2. Shorn of unnecessary details, facts relevant for the purpose of the case are as under :

Petitioner, after being duly selected by the Selection Board constituted by the Director General of Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, was appointed on the post of Lecturer (Radio Diagnosis) on contractual basis in M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi on 24.2.2009. The appointment of the petitioner was initially for a period of one year, thereafter, it was subsequently extended from time to time. Under the orders of the State Government dated 27.9.2013, petitioner alongwith 42 other contractual doctors, was granted promotion to the post of Assistant Professor. After facing the Selection Board constituted by the Director General of Medical Education, petitioner was promoted to the post of Associate Professor vide order dated 28.1.2015 and still continues on the post.

3. In the year 2016, petitioner gave birth to a child and was allowed Maternity Leave for a period of six months from 3.5.2016 to 29.10.2016. After availing the aforesaid leave, she joined the college on 4.11.20