The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has cracked the whip on Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its failure to respond adequately to allegations of manual scavenging under its jurisdiction. This comes months after mid-day reported on the NHRC’s initial intervention, where labourers were found cleaning gutters without protective gear in clear violation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013.

In its latest directive dated December 12, 2024, the NHRC has reminded the Assistant Commissioner of M/East Ward, Alka Sasne, to submit a detailed explanation regarding the violations. The Commission has warned that failure to comply by January 19, 2025, will result in coercive action under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.