MP High Court Summons Chief Secretary Over Indore Water Contamination Crisis

Indore, Madhya Pradesh | January 6, 2026

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the State Chief Secretary to appear via video conference on January 15 in connection with petitions concerning deaths and illnesses caused by contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area. The court expressed strong disapproval of the response from the State government and local administration, describing it as “insensitive,” according to High Court Bar Association president Ritesh Inani, who is one of the petitioners.

A division bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi is hearing four to five petitions related to the incident. During proceedings, the bench noted that the water contamination crisis had not only shaken public trust but also tarnished Indore’s national reputation, especially given its consistent top ranking in the Union government’s cleanliness survey.

The court called the negligence “a matter of serious concern” in a city widely recognized for its hygiene standards. The HC also reviewed the status report submitted by the Indore Municipal Corporation and the district administration, taking a stern view of the reported death toll. It will examine whether the matter falls under criminal or civil liability. Officials reported that at least 38 new cases of vomiting and diarrhoea were detected at the Bhagirathpura primary health centre on Monday, bringing the total death toll so far to seven.

Six patients have been referred for further treatment, while 110 remain hospitalized, including 15 in intensive care units. The court’s directive for the Chief Secretary’s appearance underscores the urgency of addressing the public health crisis and holding authorities accountable for the mishandling of the water contamination issue.