NCSK has directed Patna District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh to immediately investigate the incident. The Commission has asked to submit a detailed action report (ATR) in the prescribed format within 15 days.
New Delhi/Patna- The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) has taken suo motu cognizance of a serious complaint of manual scavenging in Patna, Bihar, which highlights violations of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The complainant Shubham Kumar filed a complaint through NCSK’s online portal on May 10, 2025 (Complaint No. 102574), mentioning the incident that took place on April 28 at Chandmari Road, Kankarbagh, Mithapur, Patna.
The complaint alleges that persons possibly belonging to the Scheduled Caste community were forced to do manual cleaning of sewage and manholes without any safety equipment or mechanical aid. This act is a clear violation of the 2013 Act, which The Act prohibits manual scavenging and makes mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic tanks compulsory, and is violative of Articles 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) and 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India.
The complainant has sought the following reliefs:
1. Immediate investigation of the violation of caste-based discrimination under the 2013 Act and Article 17.
2. Registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under the 2013 Act, the SC/ST Atrocities Act, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for endangering human life.
3. Identification of the names, social category and employment status of the victims.
4. Compensation of Rs 10,00,000 to each victim as per the 2014 Supreme Court judgment Safai Karamchari Andolan vs Union of India.
5. Prosecution against responsible officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and supervisory officials who failed to prevent the incident.
6. If an FIR is not registered, So proper written reasons for this.
The complainant has warned that if no action is taken, he will file a contempt petition against NCSK, Bihar State and PMC, as well as approach the Patna High Court under Articles 226 and 215 of the Constitution.
Giving more details of the case, Shubham told The Mooknayak that the incident of April 28 happened in front of his eyes. In his colony, the employees of the cleaning contractor were cleaning the manholes naked, they did not have any safety equipment nor were they given any kit to wear during cleaning. Shubham told that the work of cleaning and maintenance of manholes and sewer lines is going on in the entire city before the rains and the safety of the employees and their rights are being grossly ignored.
Along with the complaint, four time-stamped, geo-tagged photographs have also been sent which show workers cleaning human excreta and opening manholes without protective equipment, which underlines the dangerous and inhuman nature of this work.
After Shubham’s complaint, a committee of the National Safai Karamchari Commission was formed. The NCSK has initiated an inquiry into the matter exercising its authority under the Rules of Procedure, 2019 and Section 31 of the 2013 Act, which empowers the Commission to monitor the implementation of the Act and inquire into complaints of non-compliance.
In a letter dated May 2025 (DO No. 11059/50/7/13/20-RAD), the District Magistrate of Patna, Dr Chandrashekhar Singh has been directed to conduct an immediate inquiry into the incident. The Commission has requested to submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) in the prescribed format within 15 days, seeking information on compensation provided to the victims as per the Manual Scavengers Rehabilitation Rules, 2013 and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 2016. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the Chief Secretary of Bihar for action.
Courtesy : Geetha Sunil Pillai, Hindi News