A recent report filed by a court commissioner revealed that many female washrooms in the lawyer chamber blocks of the courts are in terrible condition. These washrooms suffer from inadequate infrastructure like poor lighting, ventilation, soap, and sanitary facilities.
NEW DELHI: The Noida District Court has expressed a serious concern about the state of the ladies’ washroom at the District and Sessions Court in Surajpur, Noida. A pool of blood, sanitary napkins soaked in blood, overflowing dustbins, no hand wash soaps, and incessantly spilling water from taps were some of the issues reported.
This is a recurring issue, and several people who visit the court regularly can’t remember the last time the facilities were clean.
“We earnestly hope that District Judge takes a round and pulls up the sanitation workers/employees for not doing this basic job properly.”stated Pragya Paarijat Singh, Member Exec-SCAORA| Advocate-On-Record -Supreme Court
A recent report filed by a court commissioner revealed that many female washrooms in the lawyer chamber blocks of the courts are in terrible condition. These washrooms suffer from inadequate infrastructure like poor lighting, ventilation, soap, and sanitary facilities.
Additionally, the washrooms do not receive regular maintenance, mainly due to a shortage of sanitation staff.Similar issues have been reported across other courts too.
The Saket courts face problems with water supply, while Karkardooma courts are dealing with an acute shortage of cleaning staff. Due to these concerns, the court has instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to begin construction and repair work for the washrooms.
The PWD has been asked to follow relevant tenders and coordinate with the principal district and sessions judges to ensure that water supply to the washrooms is not interrupted.
A detailed report submitted by Ms. Nathrani on December 4, 2024, highlighted the severe deficiencies in these facilities and emphasized the need for urgent action.
The Delhi High Court while hearing the case Smita kumari Rajgarhia v. Govt. of Nct of Delhi took serious note of the issue, emphasizing that the negligence in maintaining these washrooms cannot be overlooked.
Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that the negligence in maintaining these facilities cannot be ignored, and the lack of hygiene products, along with infrastructural shortcomings, requires immediate attention.
“The negligence in maintaining these facilities cannot be ignored, and the lack of hygiene products, along with infrastructural shortcomings, requires immediate attention.”
Though the petition specifically addressed the conditions of female washrooms, the court’s instructions apply to all washrooms—male, female, and those designed for differently-abled individuals—in district courts. This ensures that the standards of hygiene and functionality are consistent across all facilities.
The matter was brought to court after a female lawyer raised concerns about the unsanitary conditions in the women’s washrooms at the Saket district court. The Delhi High Court has now taken notice of these distressing conditions.
“The judge directed the principal district and sessions judges of all district courts to review the report, identify necessary corrective actions, implement them, and submit a progress report.”
The court also noted that the conditions in the washrooms within the lawyer chamber blocks were even worse than in the general washrooms.
As a result, the court has instructed the bar associations to oversee the maintenance of these washrooms and submit a compliance report.The next hearing on this matter will take place in February 2025.
Until then, the authorities have been asked to ensure that action is taken to improve the sanitation conditions, not just for women, but for all court-goers.
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