On November 26, the Supreme Court reserved its judgment in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking sanitized and properly maintained toilets in Courts and Tribunals across India. The petition highlighted the poor state of toilet facilities in various judicial establishments, despite significant investments in infrastructure.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan expressed concern over the issue, with Justice Pardiwala remarking, “It is so sad that the Supreme Court has to involve itself in all this… Maintenance is the key problem. You may invest 100 crores in any project, but when it comes to maintenance, then it’s the problem.” This observation came after Senior Advocate B.D. Konwar, representing the petitioners, presented disturbing examples from various courts, including the Gauhati High Court, Calcutta High Court, and Delhi’s Saket district courts, where the toilet conditions were reportedly substandard.
Konwar highlighted specific cases, including instances in Assam where district court judges had to relocate their courtrooms due to unbearable conditions caused by poorly maintained toilets. He pointed out that even Family Courts in Guwahati, where children are involved, faced worse conditions.
The Court also discussed the lack of adequate toilet facilities for women judicial officers, many of whom do not have private washrooms and must use those shared with judges. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati noted the absence of comprehensive data on toilet facilities for judicial officers across different High Courts, further complicating the issue.
In response, the Supreme Court had earlier directed the High Courts to submit affidavits detailing the availability and maintenance of toilet facilities, with specific attention to whether separate toilets were available for men, women, and transgender individuals, as well as facilities for sanitary napkin dispensers in women’s restrooms.
The case, Rajeev Kalita v. Union of India & Ors., continues as the Court weighs the necessary steps to ensure better sanitation in judicial facilities nationwide. The final judgment is awaited, which could lead to significant improvements in judicial infrastructure, focusing on the often-overlooked issue of sanitation.
Case Details
Case No: W.P.(C) No. 538/2023
Title: Rajeev Kalita v. Union of India & Ors.
Lawcutor 