Rajive Raturi case

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Rajive Raturi v. Union of India · Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

Rajive Raturi v. Union of India is a Supreme Court judgment of 8 November 2024 on accessibility for persons with disabilities. The Court held that the Rules made under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 gave only guidelines, which are advice and not binding standards. Because of this, no one could be forced to make buildings or services accessible. The Court therefore ordered the Centre to frame mandatory (compulsory) accessibility rules. The judgment matters because it turns accessibility from a goal into a legal duty.

Example

Under advisory guidelines, a new public building could be built without ramps or accessible toilets, and nothing would follow. Once mandatory rules are in place, such a building would break the law.

Don't confuse with

  • Vikash Kumar v. UPSC (2021): this case deals with reasonable accommodation, meaning adjustments for one person, such as a scribe in an exam. Rajive Raturi deals with general accessibility standards that apply to everyone.
  • Accessible India Campaign (2015): a government campaign, not a court ruling.

Related concepts

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