The Delhi High Court has proposed surprise inspections of public toilets by social work students amid continuing concerns over cleanliness, structural maintenance and the availability of adequate sanitation facilities. The Court observed that access to hygienic public toilets forms part of the right to life and proposed a monitoring mechanism involving three social work institutions to help assess conditions across areas under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Background
The proceedings have been ongoing since 2023, with the Court passing several orders concerning the improvement and maintenance of public toilets. Despite steps taken by authorities, complaints about hygiene and maintenance continued to reach the Court.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed the Bench that it had attempted to monitor sanitation facilities through geotagging and had also undertaken a pilot project with an institution in Chennai in two zones. However, the Court noted that the results remained unsatisfactory.
The Bench underscored the constitutional importance of sanitation, observing:
“Apart from the obligations imposed under the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution, the right to access hygienic public toilets includes Right to Life.”
It further clarified that providing toilets alone was insufficient, stating:
“Be that as it may, what is expected of the respondent is to discharge their statutory duty under the statute, not only to provide public toilets but also to ensure hygiene.”
The Court proposed surprise inspections by teams comprising male and female students from the Department of Social Work at the University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia College of Social Work, and Aditi Mahavidyalaya.
The inspection teams will submit reports, accompanied by photographs, to the MCD Additional Commissioner responsible for sanitation. If deficiencies are identified, the officer must take appropriate steps and hold the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned zone accountable.
The Court also stated:
“We further want the respondent officers of the MCD to note that, in case there is a failure in providing financial support to the aforesaid project, this Court would be taking serious note of the same.”
The institutions and the Additional Commissioner were asked to submit their responses by November 2, 2026.
The matter was listed for further hearing on the same date.
