On Monday, a physician and a senior nurse in Karnataka’s Haveri district were suspended for reportedly compelling two patients to manually clean an overflowing cesspit. The authorities have also filed charges against them under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act of 2013.
Dr. Shankar Y. Hiregowdar and senior nurse Vanitha, both associated with the Savanur taluk hospital, were suspended by the Health and Family Welfare Department while an investigation is conducted. The district administration has requested a report from Health Officer Dr. Nagaraj regarding the incident.
According to police reports, the cesspit began overflowing several days prior, prompting Dr. Hiregowdar to send a letter to municipal officials on August 27. When no response was received, he allegedly directed the patients to engage in manual scavenging.
It was reported that the patients were promised improved medical treatment and medications in exchange for their assistance in cleaning the cesspit.
Local residents captured and shared images and videos showing the patients carrying buckets filled with human waste, which was spilling over from the cesspit located on the hospital premises on August 28. These clips quickly gained traction online.
When community members confronted hospital staff about the situation, Dr. Hiregowdar attempted to deflect their inquiries and suggested they arrange for a municipal vehicle to handle the cleanup.
In a formal complaint submitted on August 30, Tahasildar Ravikumar Nagappa Koravar stated that two villagers from Shiggaon taluk visited the hospital for medical treatment and were directed by Vanitha to investigate the flooded toilet and address the issue.
The individuals reportedly opened the cesspit, discovered it filled with sewage, and began clearing the waste using buckets provided by the hospital.
The police have initiated a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for jeopardizing the safety and well-being of individuals, alongside charges related to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, pertaining to unsanitary latrines and hazardous cleaning of septic tanks, along with penalties for such violations.
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