The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a crucial interim order, mandating the local municipal corporation and the state government to take immediate action to address a severe public health crisis stemming from contaminated drinking water in the city's Bhagirathpura area.
Court's Stern Directions Amid Health Emergency
A division bench comprising Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Justice BP Sharma passed the order on Wednesday. The hearing took place during the court's winter vacation, granted due to the extreme urgency and gravity of the situation. The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ritesh Inani, the president of the Indore High Court Bar Association, who appeared before the court in person.
The petition highlighted the authorities' persistent failure to provide clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Indore, with a specific focus on the dire conditions in Bhagirathpura. The petitioner informed the court that the supply of contaminated water had led to a large number of people falling ill, and tragically, claimed that it had also resulted in several deaths.
Authorities' Response and Court's Interim Measures
During the proceedings, counsel for the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) stated that as a response, 20 water tankers were being deployed regularly in the affected area. The corporation assured the court that it would ensure no shortage of clean water in Bhagirathpura.
Representing the state government, Additional Advocate General Rahul Sethi informed the bench that necessary directions had already been issued to concerned hospitals and doctors for the treatment of affected persons. He gave an assurance that all patients would receive proper medical care and that the government would bear all treatment expenses, both now and in the future.
An intervention application was also filed in the petition by Varun Gaikwad through advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar. This application sought a probe into the entire episode by a high-powered committee headed by a retired judge.
Key Directives and Future Compliance
As an interim measure, the High Court issued clear and direct orders to both authorities:
- The Municipal Corporation of Indore must ensure the immediate supply of clean and pure drinking water to residents of the affected areas and take all possible steps for its regular provision.
- The state government must ensure that all affected persons admitted to various hospitals receive the best possible medical treatment.
The court further directed both the municipal corporation and the state government to file a detailed status report by the next date of hearing. This report must clearly specify:
- The number of persons affected by the contaminated water.
- The number of persons admitted to hospitals.
- Comprehensive details of the medical facilities being provided to them.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 2, 2026, along with another related writ petition. The court's proactive intervention during the vacation period underscores the critical nature of this public health issue and the immediate need for governmental accountability to prevent further harm to citizens.
