The Madhya Pradesh government presented a sobering report before the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday, confirming that contaminated water in Indore's Bhagirathpura area has led to a significant public health crisis. The state disclosed that four people have died and 201 others are currently hospitalized, with 32 of them fighting for their lives in the Intensive Care Unit.
Court Proceedings and Government's Status Report
The 26-page status report was submitted before a bench comprising Justice Dwarka Dhish Bansal and Justice Rajendra Kumar Vani. The hearing was part of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ritesh Inani, the president of the Indore High Court Bar Association. The report, filed by the SDM Malharganj on behalf of the state government, provided a detailed breakdown of the situation.
While noting that the final death toll is still being ascertained, the government explicitly stated, "deaths caused due to diarrhoea is ascertained to be 4." Regarding hospitalizations, the report clarified that as of the filing, a total of 294 patients had been admitted, out of which 93 were discharged, leaving 201 still under medical care.
Administrative Response and Relief Measures
The state government assured the court that all necessary steps are being taken to manage the emergency and ensure public safety. "All the medical and administrative staff are ready and prepared to handle any type of extreme emergency," the report claimed, adding that the situation is currently under control. An investigation into the exact cause and source of the illness, including a comprehensive water quality assessment, is ongoing as per statutory procedures.
The report also outlined the relief measures undertaken:
- Detailed medical assistance provided to residents of Bhagirathpura.
- Active surveys conducted to identify and treat affected patients.
- Financial aid of Rs 2 Lakh extended to the families of each deceased.
In a separate submission, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) informed the court that over 100 municipal employees are working round the clock to bring the situation under control.
Legal Reactions and Next Steps
Reacting to the government's submission, petitioner Ritesh Inani told reporters that the report was filed in haste at the last moment. "We had sought time to study it," he stated. The court has subsequently listed the matter for further hearing on January 6.
An interesting point arose during the proceedings when one of the intervenors sought restrictions on media reporting regarding the Bhagirathpura outbreak. However, the bench did not pass any comments or orders on this request, allowing the coverage to continue unimpeded.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about water safety and public health infrastructure in urban areas, with the judicial system actively monitoring the government's response to this severe incident.
