The Bombay High Court has ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to compute and release maternity benefits to Dhanashri Ramesh Karkhanis, a contractual doctor at KEM Hospital, within two weeks. This decision follows a contempt petition alleging BMC's failure to comply with a previous court order from February, which mandated that Karkhanis receive her entitled benefits under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The court criticized BMC for denying her claim, emphasizing the importance of maternity benefits in ensuring the dignity of motherhood and providing financial security during the inability to work. Karkhanis, who has been employed at KEM Hospital since January 2022, had her maternity leave request denied despite fulfilling the necessary work requirements. After giving birth in November 2024, she sought the statutory benefits but faced challenges in returning to work due to inadequate support for new mothers. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for June 8 to ensure compliance with its order.