Sevadhaam Ashram deaths spark outrage:17 children dead after Indore transfer, 25 still critical; High Court orders probe

The deaths of 17 children within a year at Sevadhaam Ashram in Ujjain have raised serious questions about their care and medical supervision. These children were among 86 shifted overnight from Yugpurush Ashram in Indore after its closure in November 2024. Now, 25 more children remain in critical condition, many suffering from severe illnesses such as TB, multi-organ failure, epilepsy, liver damage, and complete physical disability. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken cognisance of the matter and sought replies from all concerned authorities within two weeks. The court has also asked for an inspection report, indicating possible action against officials found negligent. Bhaskar’s team visited Sevadhaam Ashram to understand the ground reality and uncover what led to the deaths and critical condition of so many children. Ashram houses over 1,200 people across five blocks Sevadhaam Ashram, located in Ambodia village, about 15 km from Ujjain district headquarters, houses more than 1,200 residents across five blocks. After the sudden closure of Indore’s Yugpurush Ashram, 86 children were relocated here overnight. Within 14 months, 17 of them died, including 11 children and six adults. Currently, 41 girls and 26 boys remain at the facility, with many in extremely poor health. Girl bedridden for 14 months, suffering from last-stage TB Inside one ward, a girl has been bedridden for the past 14 months. Her legs are severely deformed and unable to support movement. Her hands are also immobile, marked with blisters that refuse to heal. She lies silently on a bed placed near a window, occasionally responding with faint smiles and minimal gestures. Doctors say recovery from last-stage tuberculosis is extremely difficult, highlighting the severity of her condition. Most children severely disabled, require constant care Many children at the ashram are mentally and physically disabled. Several are bedridden and unable to move independently. Their immune systems are extremely weak, making them vulnerable to infections and complications. Staff members said epileptic seizures are common among some children, requiring immediate medical attention. The ashram maintains two ambulances to shift critical patients to the district hospital when needed. Currently, at least one child is admitted there. Health department teams visit regularly, and doctors conduct weekly screening camps, especially on Saturdays. Children shifted from Indore without proper medical examination A major lapse has emerged regarding the transfer of children from Indore. When Yugpurush Ashram was shut down, 86 children were moved overnight without comprehensive medical examinations. This meant serious illnesses like TB and organ damage were not detected in time. Later, when detailed tests were conducted at Sevadhaam, many children were found suffering from advanced and life-threatening conditions. Officials say delayed diagnosis significantly worsened their health outcomes.
Investigation underway, administration forms special team Following the deaths, district authorities formed a five-member investigation team. SDM Pawan Wariya, along with officials from the Women and Child Development Department and District Panchayat, inspected the ashram. They reviewed food quality, medical care, and overall management. Officials said a detailed report would be submitted soon. Post-mortem reports currently indicate multi-organ failure as the primary cause of death, though further investigation is ongoing. Two children missing, one taken by family Out of the 86 children transferred from Indore, two were reported missing. Ashram authorities clarified that one child was taken away by relatives, while another child, Roshan, remains missing. A police complaint has been filed in the matter. Ashram director denies negligence, blames poor initial health Ashram director Sudhirbhai Goyal said most children arrived in extremely poor health and were already suffering from severe illnesses. He claimed proper care at Sevadhaam helped save many lives and prevented even more deaths. He also alleged attempts to defame the institution. Goyal urged the administration to deploy a permanent team of doctors at the ashram and offered to provide space for a dedicated medical facility to ensure better care.