India, Oct. 30 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed states and Union Territories to disburse compensation for deaths from manual scavenging within three weeks of the incident.

A bench of justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria passed the order after monitoring the implementation of its directions passed on October 20, 2023, which required all states and UTs to take all steps necessary to end the inhuman practice of manual scavenging.

Through this judgment, the court enhanced the compensation amount payable to kin of those who died cleaning sewers or drains from Rs.10 lakh (applicable from 1993) to Rs.30 lakh. However, the judgment did not specify whether it is to be paid for deaths which took place in the past.

Pending consideratio...