Not happy with how issue of toilets for women lawyers in Nilgiris court was taken to the press: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday recorded its displeasure with how the issue concerning the lack of toilets for women lawyers in the Nilgiris court complex in Ooty, Tamil Nadu was pursued before the media.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha stated that they were deeply disconcerted by how this matter was taken to the media and the High Court received bad press due to the differences between rival sections of the Bar.

"Madras High Court was displayed in poor light but I am not happy with the way this matter was pursued before the media. We are deeply disconcerted by how this matter has been pursued by the party. The High was portrayed in a bad light in a fight between two rival segments and HC said It had made arrangement," the CJI further said.

The Court further considered the report by the Madras High Court Registrar General indicating that an area was made available as a bar room as well as for toilet facilities.

"In view of report, it is not necessary to pursue this further. Disposed of. There are two rooms given, plus washrooms. The bar room is also available to them. You cannot use this to settle your grievance."

During the hearing, the Court observed that this was reported as if there was no toilet, causing the CJI grave concern.

"Anything that deals with judiciary bothers us.. and the Registrar now informs us that there are above 81 toilets," he said.

The petitioners in the case, the Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris (WLAN), had last month told the Supreme Court on Monday that their grievance about the lack of toilet for women in the new combined court complex in Tamil Nadu's Ooty, has been addressed.

The Court was hearing a plea by the WLAN alleging that there was no toilet facility for women in the new court complex and the toilet and some rooms earlier allotted to women lawyers had been sealed. 

The apex court had, on June 9 sought a detailed report from the Registrar General of the Madras High Court on the toilet facilities provided for women lawyers at the court complex.

The apex court had taken cognizance of the matter based on Bar & Bench report on the plight of the women lawyers who have been fighting for a toilet in the court complex for nearly three decades.

The Nilgiris District Bar Association (NDBA) had opposed the plea by the women lawyers, and sought impleadment in the matter and said that the allegations were incorrect.

Shortly after the first hearing before the top court, the concerned District Judge allotted two rooms and a toilet for the exclusive use of the women lawyers.

During the hearing today, the Court initially expressed inclination to appoint a committee to examine the court complex to ascertain the truth about the allegations.

"We are willing to appoint a team of two women lawyers of Supreme Court to go there and submit a report and if they say that there were toilets then we will impose 10 lakh costs on you (WLAN)," the CJI orally remarked.

The advocate for WLAN said that they were not opposed to the same.

"Yes, committee may be formed. There was no toilet," it was submitted.

The Court, however, eventually proceeded to dispose of the plea in view of the High Court report.

"Anyways we will close this in pursuance of the registrar report saying that certain areas have been earmarked as toilets," the Court said.

For the Nilgiris Bar Association, Senior Advocate V Mohana with Advocates B Raghunath, NC Kavitha, and Sriram Parakkat appeared.

Senior Advocate Guru Krishna Kumar appeared for the Madras High Court.

[Read our live-coverage of the hearing below]