The Madhya Pradesh High Court has raised concerns regarding the severity of water contamination in Indore, seeking concrete documentation and explanations from the state government. The court's questioning follows the deaths of at least eight people and the hospitalization of hundreds due to contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area between December 24, 2025, and January 6, 2026.
During a hearing on January 20, 2026, a bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi questioned the basis on which the state concluded the contamination's cause and severity. The court inquired, "On what basis has it been found that it became so contaminated that it resulted in casualties? Is there any report?… [Is it] on the basis of some expert's report?". Justice Shukla voiced concerns about urban infrastructure, noting the presence of joint sewage and water supply pipelines in major towns and questioning why the contamination became so severe in this instance.
The state government has attributed the contamination source to a demolished public toilet without a septic tank near an aging pipeline. However, the court pressed for more substantial evidence. Chief Secretary Anurag Jain informed the court that 51 tube wells were identified with contaminated water, and testing revealed the presence of E. coli.
Adding to the complexities, an audit report by the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College linked at least 15 deaths to the outbreak. While local authorities have confirmed six deaths due to contaminated water, residents claim the actual number is closer to 23, including a six-month-old child.
The High Court's scrutiny comes amidst existing concerns about Indore's water and sewage systems. A 2018 audit of water samples revealed the presence of iron, nitrate, calcium, conductivity, or fecal coliform above prescribed standards, potentially leading to various health issues.
In response to the crisis, the Dr. Mohan Yadav government in Madhya Pradesh has formed a state-level committee of senior bureaucrats, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Shukla, to investigate the deaths. The committee will investigate the administrative, technical, and other reasons behind the tragedy, fix accountability, and suggest preventative measures. The committee is expected to submit its report within a month.
The incident has cast a shadow over Indore's reputation as India's "cleanest city" and prompted investigations into potential negligence and delayed action. A 2022 civic body note warning of possible health hazards from poor water pipelines was allegedly ignored for three years. The High Court is awaiting concrete documents to fully assess the situation and determine the necessary course of action.
