New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- The Delhi High Court has proposed surprise inspections of public toilets by teams of male and female students from three social work institutions to monitor their cleanliness, hygiene and structural condition, emphasising that access to hygienic public toilets is part of the right to life.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma said that despite efforts by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the condition of public toilets had not improved to the desired level, resulting in repeated complaints before the court.

The court said the civic body was required not only to provide public toilets but also to ensure their proper maintenance, cleanliness and hygiene. It further ob...