The Madras High Court today directed the Public Works Department officials to carry out inspection of district courts in Tamil Nadu, under the supervision of Principal District Judges, and file a report on the condition of toilets.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan, gave the direction on a PIL by Vengai I Prakash Raj, an advocate of Chennai.
“The Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority must ensure that the Principal District Judges concerned shall report on the adequacy or inadequacy of the basic facilities in the different courts, including the issue of maintenance and manpower requirements.”
The bench directed the PWD to carry out the inspection under the supervision of the PDJ’s and file a report to the court about the facilities.
The court, which said it expected the inadequacies to be removed before the next date of hearing, posted the matter for further hearing on July 28.
Prakash Raj submitted that there were toilets in the court premises meant for use by advocates and public, which have been lying in disuse.
He submitted that due tolack of cleaning staff, several toilets are left in an unhygienic condition.
He prayed the court to direct the Registrar General, Madras High Court and the Secretary of the state Law Department, to take necessary steps to keep the toilets in the court premises throughout the state, functional and clean, with staff to maintain it regularly.
