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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna, issued directives on Monday to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other relevant authorities to ensure the cleanliness, hygiene, and proper maintenance of public toilets and conveniences in the national capital.

The bench instructed the civic authorities to appoint an officer in charge of each public toilet to monitor its cleanliness. It emphasized the importance of maintaining public urinals and toilets in a clean and hygienic condition. The court granted a last opportunity for the respondents (civic authorities) to file replies to the petition.

The court's directives came in response to a petition filed by Jan Seva Welfare Society, highlighting the unhygienic conditions and poor maintenance, including issues of clean water and electricity, in public toilets across Delhi.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel informed the bench that some toilets lack electricity.

In response, the bench suggested appointing officers with specific responsibilities and directed the authorities to designate one officer in charge of each toilet for monitoring purposes. The court listed the matter for further hearing on January 29.

Previously, the high court had urged authorities to ensure that public toilets meet proper sanitation standards, emphasizing the need for effective management, operation, and maintenance.

It had called for the implementation of a complaint reporting or feedback system and instructed civic authorities to prominently display the name and contact numbers of the entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of each toilet facility.

Jan Seva Welfare Society, the petitioner organization, highlighted the challenges faced by the public due to the poor maintenance of public toilets across various locations in the city. 

The plea emphasized the lack of proper sanitation, leading to unhygienic conditions that could contribute to infectious diseases.

The petition sought a court direction to ensure clean and sanitized public urinals with the availability of clean water and electricity. Additionally, it called for inspections of existing public urinals and the strategic construction of more public toilets in the national capital.

Case Title: Jan Seva Welfare Society (Reg.) v. Union of India and Ors.