In Brief
The Supreme Court held that access to basic sanitation facilities is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, essential to the right to live with dignity. The Court recognized that the State has a constitutional duty to provide separate, accessible, and well-maintained toilet facilities for men, women, persons with disabilities, and transgender persons in all courts and tribunals nationwide. The judgment directs High Courts and State Governments to constitute oversight committees, conduct infrastructure surveys, allocate dedicated funds, implement professional maintenance services, establish complaint redressal systems, and ensure transparency. The Court emphasized that adequate sanitation in courts is not merely a convenience but vital for fair access to justice, and that financial constraints cannot excuse non-compliance with this constitutional obligation.
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