Indore water tragedy: Death toll rises to 8; Cong seeks culpable homicide FIR against Mayor

Indore: The contaminated water crisis in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore continued to worsen, with the death toll rising to eight on Wednesday, even as the Congress escalated its attack on the BJP-led civic administration by demanding that a case of culpable homicide be registered against Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava and the Municipal Commissioner.

On Tuesday, the Congress alleged that the deaths were not caused by routine contamination alone. Party leaders claimed that a “poisonous substance” may have been mixed into the drinking water pipeline, and called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.

The demand came as officials confirmed that 111 patients have been admitted to various hospitals over the past five days after residents of the Bhagirathpura area reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea following the consumption of municipal water. The outbreak has deeply shaken Indore’s image as India’s cleanest city.

While at least three people died during treatment earlier in the week, the toll climbed to eight by Wednesday, according to official sources.

Amid mounting outrage, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered swift disciplinary action late Tuesday night. Two municipal officials were suspended, and a senior Public Health Engineering (PHE) officer was removed from service, with the government asserting that accountability was being fixed without delay.

The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for each bereaved family and assured that the state government would bear the full cost of treatment for all affected patients, including reimbursement of expenses already paid.

Local MLA and Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited hospitals, met affected families, and reiterated that treatment would remain free of cost.

However, the Congress dismissed the government’s response as inadequate, insisting that disciplinary action cannot replace criminal accountability. The party said it would pursue legal action against those it holds responsible for what it described as a grave civic failure.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to determine how Indore’s drinking water supply turned lethal, even as the tragedy continues to fuel a fierce political confrontation in the state.