Supreme Court Seeks Reply from PWD Over Manual Scavenging Near Its Building

The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Public Works Department (PWD) after photographs showed manual scavenging near Gate F of its building.

The Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar warned that if satisfactory responses are not filed by September 10, it may order FIRs against officials exposing workers to hazardous cleaning without protective gear.

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation was also added to the case.

The order came from a plea by Dr. Balram Singh aimed at eradicating manual scavenging, following the Court’s October 2023 directions emphasising the government’s duty to eliminate this practice nationwide.

[Dr Balram Singh v Union of India and Ors]