Court requests update on incidences of manual scavenging occurring close to its premises
Supreme Court Reiterates Call for Eradication of Manual Scavenging in India
The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to government officials, demanding an explanation for the continued practice of manual scavenging, even near its own premises, in defiance of its previous orders.
In a hearing on August 6, 2025, a Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar expressed concern over the persistent issue of manual scavenging, particularly in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The Court had previously issued 14 directions in October 2023, mandating the complete eradication of manual scavenging and manual sewer cleaning nationwide [1].
The Court's latest order comes after it received photographic evidence of workers engaged in illegal manual sewer cleaning at Gate F of the Supreme Court. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been summoned to provide explanations and submit affidavits detailing their ongoing operations [3][5].
The Court noted that the Union and State governments are duty-bound to ensure that manual scavenging is completely eradicated. It expressed dismay at the lack of progress, especially near the Supreme Court building, and warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response by the next hearing on September 10, 2025, would lead to criminal proceedings, including FIR registration against responsible officers [4].
The Court has also established a compliance monitoring bench to oversee the implementation of orders on manual scavenging, indicating its continued judicial scrutiny [3]. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been given until October 8, 2025, to coordinate stakeholders and propose a unified monitoring body for related issues in Delhi [4].
The case, filed by Dr Balram Singh, will be heard next on September 10. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has been made a party to the case due to photographs of manual scavenging in the area it governs. The Court has stated that it will direct the registration of an FIR against officers if satisfactory replies are not received on the next date [2][3][4][5].
References: [1] Live Law. (2023, October 31). Supreme Court issues 14 directions on manual scavenging. Retrieved from https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/supreme-court-issues-14-directions-on-manual-scavenging-189345
[2] The Indian Express. (2025, August 6). Supreme Court expresses concern over manual scavenging near its premises. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/supreme-court-expresses-concern-over-manual-scavenging-near-its-premises-8427418/
[3] Bar & Bench. (2025, August 6). Supreme Court summons EDMC, PWD over manual scavenging at its gate. Retrieved from https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-summons-edmc-pwd-over-manual-scavenging-at-its-gate
[4] The Hindu. (2025, August 7). Supreme Court warns of criminal charges for non-compliance with manual scavenging orders. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-warns-of-criminal-charges-for-non-compliance-with-manual-scavenging-orders/article65576320.ece
[5] NDTV. (2025, August 6). Supreme Court seeks reply from PWD over manual scavenging at its gate. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-seeks-reply-from-pwd-over-manual-scavenging-at-its-gate-3007853
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