Allahabad High Court summons DM, Nagar Ayukt Prayagraj seeing photos of sanitation workers in waist-deep water with no safety gears

In the suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to the security and safety of sanitation workers, the Allahabad High Court has summoned the District Magistrate and Nagar Ayukt, Prayagraj to appear in person on the next date of hearing.

Certain photographs were placed before the bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice J. J. Munir showing the manner in which the drains are still being cleaned in Prayagraj. 

Court noted that "it was evident that no protective gears had been provided to the workers and they were still waist deep under the water for cleaning of drains."

"Some of the drains are in open areas but still no machines were being used for cleaning of the drains, though it is claimed that Nagar Nigam has a number of machines available, which are being used for cleaning of drains," Court observed. 

Moreover, Court highlighted that in the affidavit filed by Upper Nagar Ayukt dated June 13, 2022, there was no response to the aforesaid factual position placed on record by the Amicus Curiae in the case.

In view of the same, Court opined that under these circumstances, the District Magistrate and Nagar Ayukt, Prayagraj should be summoned. 

The matter will be next heard on July 25, 2022.

The case was registered on basis of a news item, which was published in the newspapers on May 24, 2022. Court said that from the article, it was evident that without any protective gears, open drains were being cleaned up by the persons deployed either by the Nagar Nigam or through contractors.

Advocates Rajiv Lochan Shukla and Kunal Shah have been appointed Amicus Curiae in the case. 

Case Title: In Re Ensuring the Security of Life and Safety of Health of the workmen and employees engaged v. The Chief Secretary, Government of U.P. Lucknow and others