High Court Notice Issued on Challenge to Laws for Sewer Cleaners’ Rights

The High Court has directed the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Delhi Government to respond within eight weeks to a matter challenging laws and rules pertaining to sewer and septic tank cleaners working as manual scavengers. The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora adjourned the hearing to July 4.

Challenge by a cleaner

Kallu, a septic tank cleaner and daily wage laborer, has filed the challenge, contesting the constitutional validity of various provisions of the law allowing manual scavenging. He argues that the law unfairly classifies between those who clean sewers and septic tanks using protective equipment and those who clean them by hand. The petitioner cites the tragic death of his brother while cleaning a sewer in Lajpat Nagar in 2017.

PIL Seeks Rehabilitation and Benefits

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeks direction from the government to rehabilitate sewer cleaners and provide them with all the benefits available to manual scavengers under the law. It highlights the failure of the law to eradicate the inhumane practice of manual scavenging. The petitioner demands the repeal of several sections of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and related rules, citing violations of Article 14, Article 17, and Article 21 of the Constitution.

Demands for Rehabilitation and Benefits

Through advocate Pawan, Kallu urges the authorities to provide rehabilitation and other benefits to the families of sewer cleaners, septic tank cleaners, and those involved in carrying human waste.