The court dismisses writ petitions as infructuous due to the prior extension of maternity benefits under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

1. These two Writ Petitions have been filed by the petitioners who are working as the Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS), praying therein to extend the maternity benefit to the petitioners as provided under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 .

2. The learned counsel for the National Legal Service Authority (NLSA) has produced the communication dated 21/01/2025 passed by the NLSA whereby the maternity benefits under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 had been made applicable to the Legal Defense Counsel engaged by the District Legal Services Authority.

3. Paragraph 4 of the said communication dated 21/01/2025 reads as under:

"a. Once an applicant has fulfilled the entitlement criteria specified in S.5(2) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 , she would be eligible for full maternity benefits, even if such benefits exceed the duration of her contract.

b. In the event that a lawyer appointed under the LADCS Scheme is availing leave under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 or any other law, rule or regulation in force, the Chairman of the concerned DLSA may engage a lawyer, on short - term contract basis, only for the period of leave so granted, to discharge the duties of the person who is on leave for that period."