June 28, 2025: The significance of sanitation infrastructure was underscored recently when a delay in the construction of a toilet block in Kalina, Santacruz (East) led to contempt proceedings against a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineer—culminating in a hearing before the Supreme Court.
On October 4, 2023, the Bombay High Court had directed the BMC to construct a toilet facility in a Kalina slum cluster within three months, citing the fundamental right to life under Article 21 and the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. However, by February 2, 2024, the court found the work to be incomplete and warned of contempt action against the corporation.
The official at the centre of the matter, Executive Engineer Maheshkumar Sampat Jare, informed the court that the delay stemmed from the time taken to complete the survey and the scale of the project—a 32-unit toilet block, with 15 units for women, 16 for men, and one for persons with disabilities. He claimed that a nine-month timeline had been originally estimated by his superiors.
Despite this explanation, the High Court on May 6 observed that the February order had still not been complied with and initiated contempt proceedings. The toilet complex was inaugurated shortly thereafter, but with legal pressure mounting, Jare approached the Supreme Court.
Representing Jare, Senior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal told the bench that the engineer has an unblemished 35-year career and is due to retire in 18 months. He requested leniency given the circumstances.
The apex court, while respecting the High Court’s authority in contempt matters, acknowledged the completion of the facility and advised Jare to appear before the High Court to explain the delay. It also requested that the High Court hear the matter without being influenced by its prior remarks.
Source: Times Of India
