Orissa High Court reinstates judge who resigned to take care of autistic son

The Orissa High Court recently reinstated a judicial officer who had resigned from service citing her autistic son’s medical needs and the lack of adequate treatment facilities at her place of posting..A Division Bench of Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak and Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra observed that her resignation could not take effect as she had withdrawn it before the Governor (the competent appointing authority) had formally accepted it. In the September 10 judgment, the Court also noted that the Judge's resignation was not voluntary. It found that the resignation was submitted under compelling circumstances arising from her son’s medical condition and needs.“Real life situations are complex and each one fights his/her battles in unique ways.