In a significant order aimed at improving workplace facilities for women in uniform, the Delhi High Court has instructed the Delhi Police to take steps towards providing sanitary pad vending machines and exclusive washrooms for women personnel at every police station in the national capital.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the Commissioner of Police to carry out a comprehensive survey of all police stations within six weeks to determine the availability of these facilities.

The court observed that once the survey is completed, appropriate measures should be implemented to ensure that each police station is equipped with a sanitary pad vending machine and a separate washroom for women police personnel.

The Bench has sought a status report from the Delhi Police detailing the action taken and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 23.

The directions were issued while hearing a petition filed by the Justice for Rights Foundation, which sought improved menstrual hygiene and sanitation facilities for women serving in the Delhi Police.

The petitioner argued that access to such essential infrastructure is closely linked to the constitutional guarantee of dignity, health, privacy and humane working conditions under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Referring to information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the petition claimed that only a limited number of police stations currently have sanitary pad vending machines despite a large number of women personnel being posted across Delhi. It also alleged the absence of a dedicated policy or budget for menstrual hygiene infrastructure within the police force.

Besides vending machines, the plea sought directions for installing sanitary incinerators and ensuring that all Delhi Police establishments provide clean, functional and private washrooms exclusively for women personnel.

The High Court's order is expected to pave the way for improved workplace amenities for women police officers across the capital.