Around 50 litres of acid lying in a public toilet opposite GB Pant Hospital in central Delhi has been seized following a surprise inspection led by Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, officials said on Friday.
Maliwal also issued summons to Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials and asked them to be present before the Commission on 11 April with a detailed report regarding the matter, they said.
The inspection was conducted on Thursday night following complaints regarding issues related to public toilets for women and girls in various areas of Delhi, they said.
Maliwal shared a video on Twitter in which she can be seen scolding the staff of the public toilet after finding the acid there.
“You will be shocked to see what was found during the toilet inspection in Daryaganj last night. Found 50 litres of acid lying in the open in a toilet in Central Delhi.
“Think how many lives could have been ruined. Police were called and the acid was seized. We are seeking answers from the MCD and action will be taken against the culprits,” Maliwal tweeted in Hindi.
The caretaker informed that the acid was being used for cleaning the toilets and is replenished every two months by his seniors.
“The Commission has asked for reasons for usage of acid for cleaning public toilets as well as action taken against the authorities responsible for acid being used in the public toilets.
“It has fixed the accountability of MCD by asking them the guidelines issued against the use of acid as a cleaning agent in public toilets as well as the steps taken by them for preventing usage of acid for cleaning the toilets,” a statement issued by the DCW said.
The Commission has asked the MCD to submit a copy of the bills of the acid procured as well as the amount of funds disbursed by the MCD in the upkeep of the said toilet, it said.
