SC Declares Sanitation in Courts a Fundamental Right
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
- ▶
BEFORE: Toilet facilities in many courts were non-existent, unhygienic, or lacked inclusive infrastructure for vulnerable groups. NOW: States and UTs are legally mandated to construct and maintain hygienic, separate toilets for men, women, transgender persons, and PwD, complete with basic amenities like running water, locks, and ramps.
- ▶
BEFORE: There was no formal, localized oversight mechanism to ensure the continuous upkeep and funding of court sanitation. NOW: Each High Court must form a dedicated committee comprising senior judges and government officials to survey infrastructure, recommend improvements, and oversee fund allocation.
- ▶
BEFORE: The lack of sanitation in courts was largely viewed as an administrative or infrastructural inconvenience. NOW: It is officially recognized as a violation of the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21, reinforcing the State's directive duty to improve public health under Article 47.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)With reference to the Supreme Court's 2025 judgment on sanitation in court premises (Rajeeb Kalita v. Union of India), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Court declared access to clean toilets in courts as a fundamental right under Article 21. 2. The judgment mandated separate facilities exclusively for men and women, intentionally leaving out provisions for transgender individuals to be decided by individual states.