Will Ensure Manual Scavenging Never Takes Place In University Premises: Panjab University Tells High Court In Suo Moto Case

The Panjab University today assured the Punjab & Haryana High Court that the incident of manual scavenging will not take place again and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in Dr. Balram Singh vs Union of India will be strictly adhered to.

The development came after the bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal took Suo Moto cognizance of the incident of manual scavenging inside the premises of Panjab University.

Considering the undertaking given by the Panjab University today, the Court disposed of the plea.

During the hearing Chief Justice Nagu orally question the counsel appearing for Panjab University that how such incident took place when the manual scavenging is prohibited in India.

The counsel assured the court that no such incident will take place and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in Dr. Balram Singh case will be strictly followed.

The Apex Court in Dr. Balram Singh case on October 20, 2023 issued a categorical direction to the Union Government and all State Governments to ensure the complete eradication of the practice of manual scavenging.

A bench comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar issued a slew of fourteen directions to the Union and State Governments for the effective implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013. The bench also directed active measures for the rehabilitation of the victims and their families, ensuring their scholarships and other skill programs.

"Ours is a battle not for wealth of power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for reclamation of human personality" - these words of Dr.Ambedkar were quoted by Justice Bhat while pronouncing the judgment.

Title: Court on its own motion v. UT Chandigarh and others. 

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (PH) 367