The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a strict view of deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore. The court directed the state government to submit a detailed status report by January 2.
The Indore bench ordered authorities to provide free medical treatment to all people affected by vomiting and diarrhoea. The court acted after reports emerged of multiple deaths in the city.
A vacation bench of Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Justice B P Sharma passed the directions while hearing a public interest litigation. Indore High Court Bar Association president Ritesh Inani filed the petition.
The plea urged officials to ensure safe drinking water for every resident of the state’s commercial capital. The court noted the seriousness of contaminated water in a city known as India’s cleanest.
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said seven people have died due to the outbreak. However, District Magistrate Shivam Verma stated doctors have confirmed four deaths so far.
Officials reported that more than 1,100 people fell ill in the last week. Around 150 patients required hospital admission. Authorities admitted patients across 27 hospitals and continue to monitor their condition.
The court stressed public health protection and accountability from the state government.
