Order of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in the matter of 'In Re Ensuring the security of life and safety of health of the workmen and employees engaged' dated 12/07/2022.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed taking note of a news item published in a newspaper, May 24, 2022 regarding cleaning of drains in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh by sanitation workers without wearing any protective gears.

The Allahabad High Court noted that the photographs placed on record makes it clear that"no protective gears have been provided to the workers and they were still waist deep under the water for cleaning of drains. Some of the drains are in open areas but still no machines were being used for cleaning of the drains, though it is claimed that Nagar Nigam has number of machines available, which are being used for cleaning of drains," 

The bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and J.J. Munir said that the affidavit filed by the Upper Nagar Ayukt, June 13, 2022 does not make any mention of the absence of protective gears and directed the District Magistrate and Nagar Ayukt, Prayagraj  to appear in person before the court on the next date of hearing (July 25, 2022).