The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday admitted before the Madhya Pradesh High Court that contaminated drinking water containing E. coli bacteria caused the deadly diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak in Indore’s Bhagirathpura locality, which has claimed multiple lives since late December. The High Court has reserved its order on pleas seeking a judicial inquiry and registration of FIRs against those responsible.
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, appearing via video link before the bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, informed the court that 51 tube wells in Bhagirathpura tested positive for E. coli bacteria. He said the infection stemmed from contaminated water, leading to the widespread illness.
Health experts confirm that E. coli presence typically indicates sewage contamination and can result in acute gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and fever.
In response to the court’s queries, a government counsel said the contamination occurred due to a leakage in a water pipeline, which allowed sewer water — including waste from a public toilet — to mix with the drinking water supply. The state is continuing water quality testing and surveys in the affected area.
The High Court was hearing two PILs seeking accountability for the tragedy. Petitioners have demanded a judicial inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge and FIRs against negligent officials.
Advocate Ajay Bagaria, representing the petitioners, said the government-appointed probe committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Shukla lacked credibility and appeared aimed at covering up the lapses.
After hearing all sides, the Madhya Pradesh High Court reserved its order and listed the matter for further hearing on January 28.
In a status report submitted on January 15, the government acknowledged seven deaths, including that of a five-month-old infant. However, local residents claim the actual death toll is 24.
A ‘death audit’ by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College linked 15 deaths to the outbreak. The administration has provided ₹2 lakh ex gratia to families of 21 deceased persons, maintaining that some deaths were due to unrelated causes but aid was extended on humanitarian grounds.
The case has cast a shadow on the city’s civic reputation, with the Madhya Pradesh High Court closely monitoring administrative accountability and public health standards. The next hearing could determine whether the matter is escalated to an independent judicial probe.
