New Delhi, January 15: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stressed that the availability of public toilets is a fundamental responsibility of state governments and Union Territories, stressing the need for action to ensure these facilities are accessible to all.
Issuing a series of directives in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a lawyer, the Apex Court instructed all High Courts, state governments, and Union Territories to ensure the provision of separate toilet facilities for males, females, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and transgender individuals in court premises and tribunals across India.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, during the hearing, underscored the importance of public health and the role adequate toilet facilities play in safeguarding privacy, especially for women and transgender persons.
The bench further directed that High Courts should monitor the construction and maintenance of these facilities, ensuring they are identifiable and accessible to judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff.
To implement these measures, each High Court will form a committee chaired by a Judge nominated by the Chief Justice. The committee will include the Registrar General or Registrar of the High Court, the Chief Secretary, the Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), the Secretary of Finance, a representative from the Bar Association, and any other relevant officers as deemed necessary. The committee is required to be constituted within six weeks.
