AIROnline 2025 SC 11

Supreme Court Of India

Hon'ble Judge(s): J. B. Pardiwala, R. Mahadevan , JJ

Constitution of India , Art.32, Art.21— Right to life - Toilet facilities in Courts - It is settled law that the right to life encompasses within it the right to healthy and hygienic life and the right to live with dignity -It is duty of every State/UT under Part IV of the Constitution to ensure a healthy environment and to continuously strive for improving public health - Litigants for fear of sitting in courts for long hours without access to basic amenities should not be forced to refrain from exercising their legal rights - Absence of adequate washroom facilities undermines equality and poses a barrier to the fair administration of justice - Directions were issued accordingly Public interest litigation was initiated with a prayer for directions to ensure that basic toilet facilities are made available in all Courts/ Tribunals in the Country for men, women and handicapped persons including transgenders. Held, it is duty of every State/UT under Part IV of the Constitution to ensure a healthy environment and to continuously strive for improving public health . Absence of adequate washroom facilities undermines equality and poses a barrier to the fair administration of justice. It is settled law that the right to life encompasses within it the right to healthy and hygienic life and the right to live with dignity. Creation of ade....