The Delhi High Court has mandated a thorough survey to evaluate the availability of functional sanitary pad vending machines and dedicated washroom facilities for female police personnel at all police stations in the national capital. This directive was issued on August 5 during the hearings of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that underscored the inadequate menstrual hygiene infrastructure provided for women in the police force.

The order came from a division bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, who instructed the Delhi Police to complete the survey within a six-week timeframe. Furthermore, the court has requested a status report from the Union government, Delhi Police, and the Government of NCT of Delhi regarding the issues highlighted in the petition.

Public Interest Litigation Highlights Lack of Facilities

The PIL was filed by the Justice for Rights Foundation, an NGO advocating for improved sanitary facilities for female police personnel across all Delhi Police units. It claims that there is a chronic deficiency in menstrual hygiene resources and adequate sanitation specifically for women serving in diverse capacities at police stations.

The petition alleges that the lack of these facilities infringes upon the fundamental rights of women police personnel as enshrined in Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution. The absence of access to menstrual hygiene products and safe disposal mechanisms is highlighted as detrimental to their dignity, health, privacy, and humane working conditions.

Legal representatives for the petitioners, Karnika Bahuguna, Pooja Kushwah, and Adarsh Singh, noted that the claims are supported by a series of Right to Information (RTI) applications submitted to the Delhi Police in 2025. These inquiries sought district-wise data regarding the existence of sanitary pad vending machines and washroom facilities dedicated to women personnel.

Findings and Recommendations from the RTI Applications

According to the petition, responses from the 18 police districts allegedly indicated that only a minority of police stations had sanitary pad vending machines, despite many women police personnel actively serving in the force. The responses also pointed to the absence of allocated budgets, guidelines, or a regulatory framework for menstrual hygiene facilities.

It is asserted in the PIL that women police personnel often find themselves engaged in prolonged duties in law enforcement, investigations, and emergencies. This makes it challenging for them to leave their posts to purchase sanitary products when needed. The report reveals that inadequate menstrual hygiene provisions not only jeopardise their health and dignity but also that of women complainants, victims, and witnesses visiting these facilities.

The petition draws on various constitutional articles, including 14, 21, 42, and 47, to argue that the State has a duty to ensure humane working conditions and protect the wellbeing of its female employees. It cites financial allocations made by the Ministry of Home Affairs for similar facilities within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and references initiatives like the ‘Smart Maitrin’ project from Mumbai Police as models for implementation in Delhi.

Reliefs Sought by the Petitioners

The petitioners are requesting that the court orders the installation of sanitary pad vending machines and disposal incinerators in all Delhi police stations within an established timeline. They also seek the provision of hygienic washrooms specifically for women police personnel and the formation of a standard operational procedure for maintaining these facilities.

Additionally, the petition calls for a designated budgetary allocation and the establishment of an institutional mechanism to ensure ongoing functionality and compliance with these directives. This approach aims to promote a more supportive and equitable working environment for women in the police force.

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