Govt admits 15 deaths due to contaminated water:5-month-old baby among victims; earlier administration said only 6 deaths occurred officially in Indore city

The Madhya Pradesh government has acknowledged that 15 people, including a five-month-old infant, died due to contaminated drinking water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area after a five-member committee of doctors submitted its report to the government. The revelation comes from a death audit report, prepared on the direction of the High Court, which reviewed 21 of the 24 deaths reported so far. The findings contradict earlier claims by the administration, which had initially confirmed only four deaths linked to contaminated water and later revised the figure to six. Death Audit Report reveals extent of crisis According to the death audit report, 21 deaths were examined, of which: The report was finalised on January 13, ahead of a High Court hearing scheduled for January 15, which directed the administration to submit a detailed status report. Victims confirmed to have died due to contaminated water The 15 victims whose deaths were linked to contaminated water are: Four deaths not linked to water contamination The audit concluded that the deaths of the following individuals were not caused by contaminated water: Doubts over two deaths The report also notes ambiguity in two cases: Officials noted that both cases involved serious underlying conditions, creating uncertainty over whether contaminated water was the primary cause. Five-doctor panel prepared the audit The death audit was conducted by a five-member medical committee, comprising: Current health situation in Bhagirathpura According to Thursday’s health bulletin: ‘Abhiyan Swasthya Vardhan’ continues in affected area Health teams continue door-to-door surveillance under the ‘Abhiyan Swasthya Vardhan’ campaign: Health cards were issued, and patients were referred for further treatment. Questions raised over role of Red Cross society The role of the Red Cross Society has come under political scrutiny after families of more than 18 deceased individuals received ₹2 lakh each as financial assistance. Congress spokesperson and advocate Pramod Kumar Dwivedi questioned why compensation was being routed through the Red Cross instead of being paid directly by the government. He alleged misuse of the society, stating that in past cases of rape and murder involving minors, compensation was capped at ₹50,000. Dwivedi has demanded an audit of the Red Cross Society, questioning the source of funds and arguing that the government must provide compensation separately rather than relying on a donor-funded organisation.