Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 27 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Asha
  • Respondent: State of Haryana
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 368/2025 seeking compensation for death(s) arising from manual sewer/septic‑tank cleaning.
  • The petitioner asserted that compensation had not been paid; the Court recorded that compensation has been received from the State of Haryana as ordered earlier.
  • Numerous ancillary applications and interventions were listed, including IA No. 127085/2025, IA No. 263173/2025, IA No. 65476/2026, IA No. 65478/2026, IA No. 136141/2026, and several others relating to other writ petitions (W.P. 324/2020, W.P. 823/2025, W.P. 905/2025).
  • The Court reiterated its earlier judgment dated 20 October 2023, which directed that for deaths occurring before that date, a compensation of Rs 30 lakhs must be paid to each claimant, unless already determined and paid.
  • The Court noted that despite its 2023 directive to eradicate manual sewer cleaning, deaths continued, prompting further action.
  • A parliamentary starred question (No. 276) dated 18 March 2026 provided state‑wise data on sewer‑related deaths for 2023‑2025, totalling 65 deaths in 2023, 54 in 2024, and 46 in 2025.

Detailed Findings & Directions

1. Disposition of W.P. 368/2025

  • The Court confirmed receipt of compensation by the petitioner and ordered the writ petition to be disposed of.
  • All pending applications in this petition were also ordered to stand disposed of.

2. Compensation Clarifications (W.P. 324/2020)

  • IA No. 127085/2025: The State of Goa had sanctioned only Rs 10 lakhs in four cases, contrary to the Supreme Court’s 20 Oct 2023 direction for Rs 30 lakhs per death. The State was asked to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated; a two‑week period was granted to file a reply.
  • IA No. 263173/2025: Notice issued to be returned within one week concerning three deaths where no compensation had been paid nor prosecutions initiated, except for FIR No. 132/2025.
  • IA No. 65476/2026: Application allowed; cause‑title to be amended.
  • IA No. 65478/2026: Petition sought Rs 30 lakhs compensation from the State of Uttar Pradesh and rehabilitation for families. The Court directed payment of Rs 25,000 as cost to the Safai Karamchari Commission within four weeks, failing which the amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
  • IA No. 136141/2026: Disposed as it became moot following IA No. 65478/2026.

3. Directive on Manual Sewer Cleaning (from 20 Oct 2023 judgment)

  • The Union was instructed to frame policies ensuring complete eradication of manual sewer cleaning and to prohibit contractors from requiring individuals to enter sewers.
  • The Court observed that despite periodic directions, deaths continued in large numbers.

4. Show‑Cause to State Chief Secretaries

  • Chief Secretaries of Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal were ordered to file affidavits within four weeks explaining why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for willful disobedience of the Court’s directions.

5. Re‑listing of Related Petitions

  • W.P. 823/2025 (including CONMT.PET. C 259/2026) – The Court rejected contempt proceedings against petitioners Smt. Rajo and Smt. Rajani, who had already received Rs 40 lakhs and Rs 25 lakhs respectively from QRG Medical Hospital. Notice issued only to respondent No. 5. Re‑listed for 7 September 2026.
  • W.P. 905/2025 – The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was directed to show cause within two weeks for contempt and to appear in person. Re‑listed for 7 September 2026.

6. General Orders

  • All pending applications across the listed petitions were ordered to stand disposed of unless otherwise specified.
  • The matter was scheduled for further hearing on 7 September 2026.

Final Outcome

  • The original writ petition (W.P. 368/2025) is disposed of as compensation has been received.
  • Pending applications in that petition are also disposed of.
  • The Court issued show‑cause notices to fifteen state chief secretaries for non‑compliance with its sewer‑cleaning directive, with a four‑week deadline.
  • Specific compensation directives (Rs 30 lakhs per death) were reinforced, and costs of Rs 25,000 imposed for certain applications.
  • Related petitions (W.P. 324/2020, 823/2025, 905/2025) were either disposed, had contempt matters rejected, or were re‑listed for a hearing on 7 September 2026.

Topics: Sewer‑Cleaning Safety, Compensation Enforcement, Judicial Contempt