The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 6, 2026, delivered a scathing rebuke to the state government and the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) over the ongoing contaminated water crisis that has claimed multiple lives and affected hundreds of residents. The court observed that the incident has “severely damaged the image of Indore across the country,” transforming a city widely celebrated as India’s “cleanest” under the Swachh Survekshan rankings into one now infamous for supplying “poisonous water” to its citizens. The bench, while hearing five separate petitions related to the contamination, underscored that access to safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and cannot be compromised under any circumstances.

The crisis came to light after several residents fell ill following consumption of municipally supplied water, with laboratory tests confirming high levels of contamination, including traces of toxic substances. The court highlighted the gravity of the negligence, warning that officials found responsible would face both civil and criminal liability. It further stated its readiness to intervene if the compensation offered to the families of the deceased and affected individuals was deemed inadequate, emphasizing the need for swift accountability and remedial action.

The human toll has been significant, with reports of hospitalizations and fatalities linked directly to the contaminated supply. The bench expressed deep concern over the preventable nature of the tragedy in a city that has consistently topped national cleanliness surveys, pointing to a stark contradiction between Indore’s reputation and the reality on the ground. Authorities have been directed to submit detailed reports on the source of contamination, immediate corrective measures, and steps to prevent future occurrences.

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The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for January 15, 2026, by which time the court expects comprehensive compliance from the state government and IMC, including progress on water quality restoration and victim support. The observations have intensified public and political scrutiny on urban water management in one of India’s fastest-growing cities, raising broader questions about infrastructure reliability and governance in maintaining basic public health standards.

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