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The bench was hearing a plea filed in 2021 that sought infrastructure facilities to be made available for orthopedically disabled persons in the entire state of Maharashtra
The Bombay High Court has directed the high court's registry in Mumbai to convert an existing washroom into a restroom designed for individuals who use wheelchairs and those with orthopaedic disabilities.
The division bench, consisting of Justice Sunil B Shukre and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla, has directed the registry to submit the proposal for this conversion to the appropriate committee for consideration.
"We would, therefore, request the registry to consider this difficulty, prepare an appropriate proposal for either conversion of one of the washrooms in High Court building at Mumbai into a washroom to be used for the wheel chaired, orthopedic disabled persons and place it before the appropriate committee for its due consideration as early as possible. Registrar (Original Side) is requested to do the needful," the court ordered.
The bench was hearing a plea filed in 2021 that sought infrastructure facilities to be made available for orthopedically disabled persons in the entire state of Maharashtra.
The additional government pleader stated that they needed to gather information from across the entire state of Maharashtra to make informed decisions on this matter. As a result, he sought additional time from the high court for this purpose.
Considering that no relief was granted to disabled persons since 2021, the division bench directed the government to complete the exercise within 8 weeks.
"Considering the fact that this matter is pending since the year 2021 and so far nothing has moved towards providing of some relief and respite to physical challenged persons working in the State Government/Corporation and visiting the offices of the State Government and Corporation, it is necessary now that some time limit is prescribed by this court for the authorities to complete the entire exercises " the court said.
The petitioner's counsel highlighted that disabled individuals face a lack of accessible washrooms when visiting government offices, including the high court building.
In response, the court directed the registry to explore the possibility of converting an existing washroom into one that is accessible for disabled persons within the high court building.
The matter has now been scheduled for further directions on December 7, 2023.
Case title: Maharashtra Rajya Apang Karmachari Sanstha vs State of Maharashtra & Ors
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