JUDGMENT :

(Karunesh Singh Pawar, J.)

1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for respondents no. 1 to 3.

2. By means of this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed to quash the impugned order dated 16.07.2022 passed by respondent no.3 District Panchayat Raj Officer, Fatehpur by which the maternity leave of the petitioner has been rejected.

3. Further a writ of mandamus directing respondent no.2 Deputy Director (Panchayat) Prayagraj Division Prayagraj to sanction the maternity leave and pay salary in accordance with rule has also been prayed to be issued.

4. Admitted facts between the parties are as under:-

5. Petitioner was appointed on the post of Assistant District Panchayat Raj Officer (Pravi) on 18.06.2014. She joined in the month of June, 2014. After the marriage, she became pregnant and consequently she moved a representation before respondent no.2 praying for sanction of maternity leave from 01.07.2021 to 27.12.2021 which was sanctioned by order dated 30.06.2021. After one year, the petitioner again moved an application on 24.06.2022 for maternity leave for second issue before the respondent no.3 with a prayer to sanction ma