'Complete Apathy’: Delhi HC Slams Municipal Bodies Over State of Public Toilets
The court was dealing with a PIL filed by Jan Sewa Welfare Society, an NGO, seeking directions to ensure hygienic and functional public toilets across Delhi;
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, slammed municipal bodies including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for their "complete apathy and insensitivity" in maintaining public toilets across the city.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Jan Sewa Welfare Society, an NGO, seeking directions to ensure hygienic and functional public toilets with access to clean water and electricity across Delhi.
While taking note of photographs that highlighted the poor condition of several public toilets, the High Court said it was “hurting and unfortunate” to witness such a state of public conveniences in the national capital.
In view of this, the HC specifically ordered that the toilets shown in the photographs must be made functional.
The judges also asked the MCD, NDMC, and DDA to escalate the issue to the “highest level” and directed each municipal body to independently prepare a comprehensive plan for improving toilet facilities in their respective jurisdictions.
The bench observed that the photographs not only depicted the condition of the toilets shown but also indicated that public conveniences in other areas were “no better.” It emphasised that the problems faced by women were further increased due to such poor infrastructure.
The judges also reminded municipal bodies of a previous order to develop a common mobile application that would enable the public to raise grievances related to civic bodies.
The bench also noted that earlier, municipal authorities had filed status reports detailing the steps taken in compliance with court orders. However, the photographs placed before the court revealed the absence of any adequate or concrete action.
Accordingly, the Court reiterated that the authorities should not require repeated reminders to fulfil their basic statutory duties.