When the supreme court banned the practice of manual scavenging

Hi Bhoomi,

As per the sources, The Supreme Court of India banned manual scavenging, particularly in six metropolitan cities, on January 29, 2025.

The court also directed chief executive officers of these cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad) to file affidavits by February 13, 2025, detailing how they had stopped the practice.

This action came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting the ongoing issue despite the 1993 Act prohibiting the practice.

Conclusion - The Supreme Court on Wednesday January 29, 2025 ordered a complete stop to the practice of manual scavenging and hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in top metros across the country.

I hope you got the answer.

Hello aspirant,

On January 29, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the dangerous hand scavenging and cleaning of septic tanks and sewers in major cities nationwide must end.

In the six metro areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, all manual scavenging and sewage cleaning must end right now.

Thank you

Hello

Here are the key Supreme Court interventions banning manual scavenging:

1. March 2014: Directed all states to abolish manual scavenging and compensate families of sewer death victims with 10 lakh.

2. October 2023: Reaffirmed the need to eradicate manual scavenging; increased compensation to 30 lakh; emphasized enforcement of the 2013 law.

3. January 2025: Ordered a complete ban on manual scavenging and sewer cleaning in 6 metropolitan cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

4. Legal Basis: The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, bans manual scavenging.

5. Implementation Status (as of 2025): 456 out of 775 districts reported cessation of manual scavenging.

Hello Bhoomi,

The Supreme Court of India banned the practice of manual scavenging in 1993 through a landmark judgment. The Court declared that manual scavenging violates fundamental human rights and is unconstitutional. It directed the government to take immediate steps to eliminate this practice and provide alternative employment and rehabilitation to those engaged in it. Despite the ban, manual scavenging has persisted in some areas, leading to further legal measures and government schemes aimed at its eradication.

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Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.