Toilets built for women in courts across the country… Important order of the Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has passed an important order regarding construction of toilet facilities for women, specially abled persons and transgender persons in court complexes and tribunals across the country. The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan has given this decision.toilet for women
The Supreme Court has directed state governments and union territories to allocate adequate funds for construction, maintenance and cleanliness of toilets. A committee will be constituted by the High Courts to review these facilities from time to time. The court has directed all state governments, union territories and high courts to file their status reports in the matter within a period of four months.

If not followed…
Justice Pardiwala verbally warned that if these instructions were not followed, contempt of court action would be taken. In November 2024, when this case was pending and the decision was given after hearing. The apex court has expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that private toilets are not available even for women judicial officers in many courts. Separate toilet facilities should be provided for women, lawyers, and judicial officers.

The court said that facilities of sanitary napkin dispensers should also be provided in women’s toilets. Special attention should be paid to the maintenance of these facilities. The court said that a copy of the judgment be sent to the Chief Secretaries of all States/Union Territories and Registrars General of High Courts to ensure strict compliance.