1. This public interest litigation concerns the working conditions of those employed for cleaning of the sewers in the city of Delhi. It shows that their working conditions are wholly incompatible with human dignity and hazardous for their health and safety. The report by the Centre for Education and Communication (CUC) is placed on record, which apart from analysing the data gathered through the survey conducted in Delhi also suggests short and long term measures to tackle the issue. Reliance is also placed on the order dated 15th February, 2006 of the High Court of Gujarat in Praveen Rashtrapal v. Chief Officer, Kadi Municipality (SCA Nos. 8989/2001 and 11706/2004) where a series of directions have been issued.

2. At the first hearing of the PIL, Division Bench of this Court while directing Rule issued, inter alia, the following directions:

Having given our careful consideration to the submissions made at the bar, we are of the opinion that a case is made out for the intervention of this Court in public interest. We are also of the view that any process of evaluation of the existing systems, the feasibility of reforms in the same would require to be monitored. This can, in