Supreme Court Clarifies ₹30 Lakh Compensation for Manual Scavenging Deaths Applies to Pending Cases

The Supreme Court has clarified that the enhanced compensation of ₹30 lakh for deaths caused by manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning, as fixed in the Balram Singh judgment (October 2023), will apply to cases where deaths occurred before the judgment if compensation has not yet been determined or paid.

The clarification came on an application by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) amid conflicting High Court rulings on compensation amounts.

The Court held that cases where compensation has already been paid will not be reopened.

It also flagged delays in appointments to the National Safai Karamcharis Commission and sought accountability from the Union Government.

[Dr Balram Singh v. UOI & Ors.]