A Running Tap of Questions

The Indore water deaths go under the microscope as a judicial commission reopens the trail of evidence

- By Rahul Noronha

ALL FOR A DROP People filling up water from a tanker in Bhagirathpura, Indore, Jan. 5

FOR MADHYA PRADESH, 2026 HAD had a black start. Indore, India's 'cleanest city' for eight consecutive years, was hitting the global headlines for all the wrong reasons. In late December, after hundreds of complaints about discoloured tap water with a "foul" smell and mass reporting of gastroenteric complaints, the city's Bhagirathpura area began seeing its first deaths. At last count, over 30 residents had lost their lives. After weeks of outrage and hand-wringing, the case has taken a turn that will be watched closely: a full judicial autopsy is on.

A one-man commission of inquiry, headed by retired high court judge S.K. Gupta, has set the ball rolling. On February 9, it invited the public to submit evidence. Till February 28, affected citizens, family members, medical corps, social organisations, contractors, officials or anyone who possesses relevant information can turn it in. This can be complaints over water, photos or videos of pipeline leaks, sewage ingress, tender documents, work orders, inspection reports, medical records, death certificates or any other material record.