Court demands report regarding manual scavenging activities occurring near its premises
The Supreme Court of India has issued stern warnings to government bodies and municipal corporations, including the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), over ongoing instances of manual scavenging and hazardous sewer cleaning.
On August 6, 2025, a Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar directed the EDMC and the Public Works Department (PWD) to explain why manual scavenging and dangerous sewer cleaning continue without proper safety gear, even within the Court premises. The Court's concern stems from photographs proving manual cleaning at its Gate F, which were presented during the hearing.
If satisfactory replies are not received by September 10, 2025, the Court has threatened to direct the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the officers responsible for exposing the workers to the risk of their lives.
This latest order is a continuation of the Supreme Court's efforts to eradicate manual scavenging in the country, a mission that began with the landmark 2023 judgment in Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India. In this case, the Court mandated the total eradication of manual scavenging and compensation of Rs 30 lakh to families of deceased manual scavengers in sewer/septic tank accidents.
Despite this, manual scavenging persists in various parts of the country. For instance, in Karnataka, no compensation has been paid for recent deaths, and governments have under-identified manual scavengers contrary to legal obligations.
In response, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment chaired a Central Monitoring Committee meeting on August 22, 2025, reaffirming the target of complete elimination of manual scavenging and rehabilitation of identified scavengers under the 2013 Act. The committee reviews implementation and coordinates with states for enforcement.
However, the Court has observed a lack of clarity regarding whether manual sewer cleaning has been entirely eradicated in metropolitan cities. In light of this, the Court has sought a reply from the EDMC on the issue.
The Court has also ordered the concerned Officer of the PWD to file a reply to the applications regarding manual scavenging at Gate F of the Court. The order does not provide any new information about the case being heard on September 10.
Out of 775 districts, manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning were not being carried out in 456 districts according to the Central government's affidavit. However, the Court did not find sufficient information to confirm that manual sewer cleaning has been completely eliminated in metropolitan cities.
The latest updates on the Supreme Court's order regarding manual scavenging in India highlight serious concerns over ongoing violations and warnings to government bodies. The Court is continuing to monitor the matter and has made it clear that it will not tolerate the continued practice of manual scavenging and the exposure of workers to hazardous cleaning conditions.
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