Madras High Court warns civic bodies of criminal proceedings for manual scavengers' deaths

17-03-2021

The Madras High Court, taking note of the deaths occurring because of manual scavenging across the state, has now warned the civic bodies of possible criminal proceedings against them if and when the deaths occur in their jurisdiction. Not only that, but the High Court has also directed the state to file a report stating the steps initiated to prevent manual scavenging in every district of the city. The court bench passed the order in connection with a plea by the Safai Karamchari Andolan stating that 14 people had died because of manual scavenging in Tamil Nadu in 2020. It was also said that so far, six people have died due to manual scavenging in 2021. While expressing disappointment over the state of affairs related to the manual scavenging incidents in the city occurring on a constant basis. The bench said that it is high time that the corporations and municipalities are held personally liable for the manual scavengers' deaths occurring within their territories. The court said that the government would now have to file a detailed report within six weeks including the steps taken to prevent manual scavenging. Also, the state has been asked by the court to adequately compensate the families of the persons who lost their lives.