Manual Scavenging Prohibited: SC Directs 6 Indian Metros to Enforce Ban
Manual Scavenging Prohibited: SC Directs 6 Indian Metros to Enforce Ban
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India on January 29, 2025, directed an immediate halt to the inhumane practices of manual scavenging and hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in six major metropolitan cities nationwide.
Special Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar has ordered an immediate halt to manual sewer cleaning and manual scavenging in six major metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. This directive was issued in response to a petition filed by Dr. Balram Singh, marking a significant step towards eradicating these inhumane practices.
Submitting a report in the Center, the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, revealed that a significant 60% of India’s districts, or 465 out of 775, have reported zero instances of manual scavenging.
However, Amicus curiae, senior advocate K. Parameshar expressed skepticism about the accuracy of the data, pointing out that some districts had failed to establish committees to oversee and prevent manual scavenging, as mandated by law.
During a hearing in December 2024, the Bench poignantly noted that India’s professed values of fraternity, equality, and dignity ring hollow when citizens are still compelled to risk their lives by entering sewers for a living, over a decade after the enactment of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act in 2013.
The Bench had earlier emphasized its unwavering commitment to addressing the issue, stating, “This is something very close to our hearts and minds. We will not leave it. We tell you; we will go to any extent to get our judgment of October 2023 complied with, come what may.’
The Supreme Court had cited its landmark judgment of October 20, 2023, where it issued directives to the Centre and States to implement measures aimed at eliminating manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning practices nationwide, highlighting the alarming frequency of fatal accidents resulting from asphyxia.
The court expressed its frustration on the matter and said, “Can we say today that manual scavenging is banned from this day onwards? We are fed up with passing orders that remain academic. Either comply or face consequences.”
The court instructed state officials from the six metropolitan cities to submit affidavits by February 13, detailing the specific measures taken to eradicate manual scavenging and sewer cleaning in their respective jurisdictions. The matter will be heard again on February 19.
