New Delhi, January 26, 2026: The Supreme Court of India has clarified the compensation amount for deaths occurring during manual scavenging. The top court ruled that if no ex-gratia payment was made before its October 2023 judgment, the States and Union Territories are required to pay ₹30 lakh to the family of the deceased.
The clarification came following differences in the implementation of the 2023 order by various High Courts. Some High Courts reopened cases and increased compensation from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh, while others refused to alter previous awards.
On January 20, 2026, the Supreme Court issued this order based on an application by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Senior advocates argued that in cases where the deceased received ₹10 lakh before October 20, 2023, their families are now entitled to the additional ₹20 lakh, while in other instances, no further compensation is due if the payment was already made.
Senior Advocate Parameshwar, assisting the Supreme Court, explained that the earlier ₹10 lakh award was based on a March 2014 judgment. He added that reopening cases already settled under the 2014 guidelines is unnecessary. However, deaths occurring before the 2023 ruling, for which families have received no compensation, are now entitled to the new ₹30 lakh ex-gratia.
This ruling ensures uniformity in compensating families affected by the hazardous practice of manual scavenging, addressing disparities in High Court decisions and reinforcing the Supreme Court’s commitment to social justice.
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