The Chief Secretary of Delhi, Rajiv Verma, has been served a legal notice for contempt of court following the alleged failure of the Delhi government to distribute sanitary napkins to more than six lakh schoolgirls studying in Classes VI to XII in government schools across the capital.
According to a civil rights organisation, the distribution of sanitary napkins has been disrupted for the past three months, in clear violation of Delhi High Court directions issued on July 6, 2022, which mandated uninterrupted supply under the Kishori Yojana Scheme. The scheme was introduced to ensure menstrual hygiene and prevent disruption in girls’ education.
The legal notice states that no sanitary napkins have been distributed since October 2025, despite repeated judicial reminders and assurances given by the government. The notice warns that such inaction amounts to wilful disobedience of court orders, warranting punitive action.
The notice refers to a writ petition filed by civil rights group Social Jurist, which had highlighted serious concerns over menstrual hygiene, health, and dignity of adolescent girls. The petition emphasized the responsibility of the Directorate of Education (DoE) to ensure that all girl students receive sanitary napkins regularly to maintain personal hygiene and overall health.
Education activist Ashok Agarwal, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, stated that the interruption in supply has placed thousands of students in an extremely uncomfortable and vulnerable situation, potentially forcing many to miss school or drop out altogether.
During earlier hearings, the Delhi High Court had underlined the critical importance of menstrual hygiene in ensuring that girls do not discontinue their education. The court had passed several interim orders, after which the Delhi government informed the court that an e-tender had been floated for procurement and that interim arrangements were being made.
The notice further recalls that the government had informed the court that school heads were provided sufficient funds to procure sanitary napkins and ensure distribution to every girl student starting July 2022. Despite these assurances, the supply has once again been disrupted.
Calling the lapse a case of deliberate negligence, Agarwal said the failure to ensure uninterrupted distribution reflects a serious disregard for judicial authority and the welfare of students.
The notice warns that contempt proceedings will be initiated unless immediate steps are taken to restore distribution and ensure a continuous, uninterrupted supply of sanitary napkins to all girl students from Classes VI to XII in Delhi government schools.
No immediate response was available from the office of the Chief Secretary at the time of filing this report.
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