Expressing concern about the lack of basic amenities including toilets and drinking water at the courts in the state, the Bombay High Court today directed Maharashtra government to take appropriate steps.
The division bench of Justices A S Oka and Amjad Sayyed was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Litigants Association of Maharashtra, complaining about lack of toilets, drinking water facilities and seating space outside the courtrooms for the litigants.
"The petition has raised important issues. It is the elementary duty of the state government to provide basic amenities like toilets. It goes without saying that facility for clean and drinking water will also have to be provided along with seating space for litigants and witnesses," the High Court said.
The court noted that in several courts, the maintenance and cleaning of toilets was outsourced, but the contracts were not renewed after they expired.
"The state government will have to formulate a scheme to see to it that such facilities are available at all the courts. We direct the government to take appropriate decision and file an affidavit on April 25," the judges said.
