A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to improve menstrual hygiene facilities for women police personnel in Delhi. The petition has been filed by Muskan Singh Bankura, Secretary of Justice for Rights Foundation, and Shreya Sejwal, Joint Secretary of its Women’s Cell.
The petition seeks installation of sanitary pad vending machines in all police stations across Delhi and calls for a comprehensive menstrual hygiene policy for women police officers.
According to the plea, women police personnel perform their duties in difficult and demanding conditions, but adequate facilities for access to sanitary pads are not available in most police stations. The petition argues that this affects their right to health, dignity and equality at the workplace, which are protected under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution.
The petition relies on information obtained through RTI applications filed in 2024 and 2025. It claims that responses received from various districts and units of Delhi Police revealed a significant gap between the number of women police personnel and the availability of sanitary pad vending machines in police stations. The plea states that New Delhi district is the only major exception.
The petition further claims that RTI replies show there is no adequate budgetary provision and no policy, guidelines or standard operating procedure issued by Delhi Police Headquarters regarding menstrual hygiene facilities for women personnel.
The petition seeks directions to the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure installation of functional sanitary pad vending machines in all police stations within a fixed timeline. It also urges the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide sufficient funds for the purchase, installation and maintenance of vending machines and sanitary waste disposal units.