Construction of ladies toilets in police stations: Allahabad High Court directs UP Home Secretary to file affidavit

The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Secretary of Home Affairs, Uttar Pradesh to file an affidavit regarding the construction of ladies toilets in various police stations in the State (Anjali Pandey v. State of Uttar Pradesh)..The Court also warned that if the affidavit is not filed before the concerned date, then the Secretary (Home) shall have to make a personal appearance before it..A Bench of Justices Sanjay Yadav and Jayant Banerji passed the order in a PIL moved by law students seeking directions to ensure the construction of ladies toilets in police stations across Uttar Pradesh..During today's hearing, the State government informed the Court that effective steps have been already taken towards that end. However, the Court insisted that the State file an affidavit in this regard. "In that event, let an affidavit be filed by Secretary, Home in respect of steps taken by the State in furtherance of the order dated 17.02.2021 by fixing an agency for construction f ladies toilet in respective police stations in the State. Let the affidavit be filed on or before 15.03.2021.It is made clear that if the affidavit as has been sought vide this order is not filed before 15.03.2021, then the Secretary, Home Affairs shall remain personally present on 16.03.2021," the order said. .During an earlier hearing, the Bench questioned the Uttar Pradesh government on the number of ladies toilets in police stations. Accordingly, the State was directed to file a report in pursuance of the Court's order. .“How many Police Stations are not having toilets for women?” Allahabad High Court asks State.The petition was moved by various law students from across the country. Apart from the main relief regarding the construction of ladies toilets in police stations, the petition also made the following prayers:Complete the semi constructed/damaged/incomplete toilets in the Police Stations of Allahabad.Direct the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to constitute a monitoring committee for the inspection of toilets in police stations of Allahabad and to place its report before the SSP, Allahabad periodically under the monitoring of the High Court. The committee should be headed by a woman police officer and comprise of the Police Inspector, SI and constable.Issue directions to State authorities and the Director General of Police, Lucknow, to make sufficient budgetary allocation for the construction and maintenance of washrooms and toilets in the police stations..All the petitioners appeared in person before the Court. The case has been listed for further hearing on March 16. .[Read Order]