The Delhi High Court has strongly rebuked city civic agencies for their failure to maintain clean public toilets, calling it shameful that the national capital wants to host global events like the Olympics while basic hygiene standards are being ignored.

The court was hearing a PIL on the poor condition of public toilets in Delhi. It observed that several toilets were either locked, lacked water, or were unusable due to filth. The judges said such conditions not only inconvenience the public but also reflect poorly on India’s global image.

The bench questioned how Delhi could propose hosting events of international repute when it couldn't provide its own citizens with clean sanitation. Civic authorities have been asked to submit a detailed action plan with deadlines for improving public toilet infrastructure.

The scathing remarks put pressure on Delhi’s administration to prioritize basic amenities as the city aspires to take on a more prominent role on the world stage.