The Delhi High Court has instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to remove an open garbage bin and a public urinal situated near a residential property in old Delhi. The court ruled that these structures violated the resident’s right to a clean and healthy living environment as per Article 21 of the Constitution. Justice Amit Bansal, in response to a petition, noted that the presence of these facilities forced residents to endure unhygienic conditions.
In its directive, the Delhi High Court mandated the immediate demolition of the open dustbin and urinal near the petitioner’s house within four weeks. The petitioner had raised concerns about the unauthorized construction of these facilities, leading to inconvenience and unhygienic surroundings due to garbage dumping and urinal usage by around 150 neighborhood residents. Despite the petitioner’s appeals for maintenance and relocation, no effective action had been taken by the authorities.
The court was informed by the MCD in a status report that regular cleaning of the urinal was being conducted. However, the petitioner argued that the area being primarily residential, the need for a public urinal was unnecessary as residents should have toilets in their homes. The court concurred that the presence of these facilities constituted a nuisance and violated the petitioner’s right to a dignified life in a clean environment, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
