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Supreme Court Seeks Data on Private Washrooms for Lady Judicial Officers in High Courts

The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over the lack of private washroom facilities for female judicial officers in High Courts across the country. A bench consisting of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Pankaj Mithal addressed this issue during a hearing on November 12, while reviewing a petition seeking sanitized and accessible washrooms for men, women, transgender individuals, and specially-abled persons in court premises and tribunals nationwide.


The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate-on-Record Charu Ambwani, informed the Court that, following a prior Supreme Court order, all 25 High Courts had submitted affidavits confirming the adequacy of sanitized toilets in their premises. However, Justice Pardiwala questioned if the data specifically ensured private washroom access for lady judicial officers, to which Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Union, responded that such data was not covered in the affidavits.


Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Justice Pardiwala recounted a letter from a young female judicial officer from Gujarat. She reported lacking access to a private washroom in her court, requiring her to request permission to use the washroom in a Civil Judge’s chamber. Justice Pardiwala stressed that this issue "needs immediate attention" and suggested it should be included in further affidavits.


The petition, titled RAJEEB KALITA v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. (W.P.(C) No. 538/2023), originated from a May 8, 2023, Supreme Court order directing High Courts to ensure the availability of sanitized toilets for men, women, and transgender persons. The Court’s instructions also included provisions for the maintenance of these facilities, the separation of toilets for litigants, lawyers, and judicial officers, and the installation of sanitary napkin dispensers in women’s washrooms. The affidavits were to reflect the status of both High Court facilities and district judiciary establishments within each state and union territory.


The Supreme Court has asked Ambwani to submit a note on any deficiencies in the affidavits filed by the High Courts, while Bhati will compile a report on the specific responses from each High Court and highlight any further directions needed. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 26.






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