Over 50 feared dead from polluted water in Indore:Families say crematorium records missing; Rahul Gandhi shares video of talks with victims

More than 50 people are feared to have died after consuming contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, according to claims made by local families. Residents have alleged that the district administration concealed the actual death toll, quietly sent several bodies to native villages overnight, and removed crematorium records to suppress the scale of the tragedy. Rahul Gandhi met affected families on Saturday Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited Bhagirathpura on Saturday and met families affected by the incident. He documented their accounts of loss and grief in an eight-minute and ten-second video, which he later shared on his YouTube channel. Water contamination issue began on December 22 Families said the water contamination issue began on the 22nd, after which several residents fell seriously ill and were admitted to hospitals. Relatives of victims, including Jeevan Lal Barede and Meerabai, stated that elderly family members died after consuming the water. They alleged that compensation provided was inadequate and the administration’s response was slow and indifferent. Residents allege municipal corporation of negligence Conversation between Rahul Gandhi and families (QA)… 1. Jeevan Lal Barede’s family Rahul Gandhi: Did anyone else in your family fall ill? Family Member: Yes. Our elderly grandmother fell sick, and our mother also suffered from diarrhoea. Rahul Gandhi: When did these health issues begin? Family Member: People started falling sick from the 22nd. Almost half of the neighbourhood had to be hospitalised. Rahul Gandhi: Was sewage water mixed with the drinking supply? Family Member: Yes. The diarrhoea was extremely severe. We couldn’t manage even for five minutes. We had to change 27–28 diapers within half an hour. Rahul Gandhi: What kind of water are you using now? Wife: We are buying RO water from the market. The administration is not listening at all, and water tankers do not come for free. Rahul Gandhi: Did the families of those who died receive compensation? Family Member: No one from the authorities even came to meet us. Official records mention compensation of ₹5–10 lakh, but only ₹2 lakh was given. We don’t know where the remaining money went. 2. Meerabai’s family Rahul Gandhi: Who is responsible for this entire incident? Son: The Municipal Corporation officers are responsible. This all happened due to their negligence. My mother was kept on ventilator for three days, then she passed away. The government admitted only after four days that the death was due to contaminated water. Rahul Gandhi: Do you want justice? Son: Yes, we want our fight to be fought so that no other family faces this in future. 3. Other affected families Rahul Gandhi: Did people complain? Family member: Yes, complaints were being made continuously for 6 months. When many people reached the hospital, there was panic. Rahul Gandhi: Did the administration take timely action? Family member: No. The entire Bhagirathpura became a crematorium. Many bodies were sent to villages overnight. From the 28th, even the crematorium records were made to disappear. Rahul Gandhi: Did you receive compensation? Family member: Some got 2 lakhs, while papers showed 5-10 lakhs. Rahul Gandhi: What do you want now? Family member: We want this case to become public and the administration to be held accountable.