A Ladakh labour court has proposed the reinstatement of Amina Khatoon, whose services with a Sonam Wangchuk’s HIAL were terminated after she gave birth in 2024. The proposed settlement includes Rs 3.03 lakh in maternity benefits
BY PC Bureau
November 10: In a setback to Sonam Wangchuk’s Sheshyon Innovations Pvt Ltd, an initiative associated with the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), founded by the Ladakhi innovator, a labour court in Ladakh has proposed the reinstatement of former employee Amina Khatoon, whose services were terminated after she gave birth to a child in 2024.
The court has also proposed that Khatoon be paid Rs 3.03 lakh as maternity benefits for 26 weeks, along with Rs 3,500 as maternity medical bonus.
At the final hearing on November 7, 2026, Khatoon and Gitanjali Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife and HIAL CEO, were present. Both parties expressed their willingness to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through mutual discussions.
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The court consequently granted them time until November 26 to arrive at an amicable settlement, subject to the respondent agreeing to the following conditions:
1. Reinstatement: Khatoon must be reinstated to her former position or an equivalent post, taking into account that her services were terminated without prior notice and without following the applicable procedure.
2. Maternity benefits: She must be paid maternity benefits equivalent to 26 weeks, amounting to Rs 3.03 lakh, along with Rs 3,500 towards maternity medical bonus.
The court made it clear that if the respondent, represented by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo, and HIAL, fails to comply with the proposed terms by November 26, the settlement will be treated as unsuccessful and the matter will proceed in accordance with the law.
Significantly, the court’s observation that Khatoon’s services were terminated without prior notice and without following the applicable procedure raises questions about the much-publicised progressive and humanitarian ethos of Wangchuk and the institution he founded.
