Indore, Dec 31 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to provide free treatment to people suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water
in Indore city, and submit a report on the tragic incident.
The HC's Indore bench sought within two days (by January 2) a status report from the government on the contaminated drinking water episode in India's cleanest city, where the Mayor has said seven people have died so far due to diarrhoea and vomiting, while the district administration has put the toll at four.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Rajesh Kumar Gupta and B P Sharma passed the directions while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Indore High Court Bar Association president Ritesh Inani.
Inani told PTI that the high court has also directed the state government to ensure free treatment for people who fell ill due to vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming contaminated water.
He noted the petition specifically urged authorities to ensure supply of clean drinking water to every resident of Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital.
Officials said more than 1,100 people have been affected in some form or the other by the diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak linked to contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirthpura area over the past one week, of whom around 150 patients were hospitalised.
According to Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, seven people have died in the outbreak so far.
However, Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma said doctors have confirmed four deaths and added 149 patients have been admitted to 27 hospitals across the city and their health condition is being monitored. PTI HWP LAL RSY
