New Delhi: In a stern move aimed at enforcing its earlier directions against manual scavenging, the Supreme Court has issued contempt notices to the Chief Secretaries of 15 states, including Delhi and Punjab, for their alleged failure to prevent deaths caused by manual scavenging despite the court’s 2023 judgment directing authorities to eradicate the inhuman practice.
A Bench comprising Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi expressed serious concern over the continued deaths of workers entering sewers and septic tanks, observing that such incidents were still occurring in significant numbers despite clear judicial directions issued on October 20, 2023.
Court Questions Continued Sewer Deaths
The Bench noted that despite its earlier order directing all states, Union Territories and civic agencies to ensure that no manual scavenging takes place, fatalities linked to sewer and septic tank cleaning have continued unabated.
Observing the gravity of the situation, the court remarked that deaths due to persons entering sewers and septic tanks were still taking place “in large numbers” despite the binding directions issued nearly three years ago.
The judges said such continued incidents raised serious questions regarding compliance with the Supreme Court’s earlier order.
165 Deaths Recorded Across 15 States
The court referred to data placed before Parliament by the Centre in March 2026, which revealed that 165 deathsrelated to sewer and septic tank cleaning had been reported across 15 states.
According to the figures placed before the court:
- 65 deaths were reported in 2023.
- 54 deaths occurred in 2024.
- 46 deaths were recorded in 2025.
The Bench was also informed that nearly 100 deaths had occurred during 2024–25, while unverified reports suggested that more than 100 deaths may already have taken place during the current year.
Chief Secretaries Asked to Explain Non-Compliance
Issuing contempt notices, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Secretaries of the concerned states to explain within four weeks why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for the alleged wilful disobedience of the court’s October 20, 2023 directions.
The notices require the senior-most bureaucrats in the states to place on record the steps taken to implement the Supreme Court’s directives and prevent further manual scavenging deaths.
2023 Judgment Sought Complete Elimination of Manual Scavenging
The contempt proceedings stem from the Supreme Court’s landmark order of October 20, 2023, in which it directed all state governments, Union Territories and local civic bodies to ensure that manual scavenging is completely eliminated and that no individual is compelled to enter sewers or septic tanks without adequate safety measures and mechanised alternatives.
The court had emphasised that governments must strictly implement measures to protect sanitation workers and prevent avoidable fatalities while ensuring accountability for any violations.
Court Signals Strict Enforcement
By initiating contempt proceedings against the Chief Secretaries, the Supreme Court has signalled that it expects the highest levels of state administration to ensure compliance with its directions.
The matter will now proceed after the concerned states file their responses explaining the measures taken to prevent manual scavenging deaths and justify why contempt action should not be initiated against them.
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