In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has taken steps to address the long-standing issue of the lack of toilet facilities for female lawyers at the Nilgiris Court Complex in Tamil Nadu's Ooty. The Apex Court has directed the appropriate bench to review the matter in the first week of July 2023, following a detailed report submitted by the Registrar General of the Madras High Court.
The case originated from a miscellaneous application filed by the Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris, which brought attention to the grievances faced by women lawyers practicing in the combined court complex. The Court, after considering a news report highlighting the concerns of women lawyers in the Nilgiris district, took up the application on its own motion.
Earlier, the Nilgiris District Bar Association had filed a writ petition addressing the issue, which was subsequently disposed of by the Supreme Court on April 29, 2023. The Court had granted liberty to the association to approach the District Judge or the Registrar General of the High Court for redressal of any remaining grievances. However, the Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris later filed a new application, raising concerns about the adequacy of the allocated space as per the Public Works Department (PWD) norms.
Following the Supreme Court's directions on June 9, 2023, the Registrar General of the Madras High Court submitted a detailed report. However, the report did not sufficiently explain the facilities being provided for women lawyers or address the shrinking of the space allocated to them. Consequently, the Supreme Court instructed the Registrar General to provide a more comprehensive report.
The recent report submitted by the Registrar General affirmed that necessary facilities are available for women lawyers at the new court complex. The Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris informed the Court that their grievances have been addressed for the time being. Acknowledging this, the Court adjourned the case until the first week of July, as there were no current complaints from the petitioners.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) also intervened in the matter, emphasizing the importance of a separate and fully functional toilet facility for women lawyers. NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma highlighted that such facilities are essential for gender equality, dignity, and creating an inclusive environment for all legal professionals. The Commission had previously written a letter to the Registrar General of the High Court, urging immediate action.
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