Indore Gas Pipeline Blast: Victims Claim Before MP High Court They Haven't Been Reimbursed Despite Municipal Corporation's Assurances

The victims of the June 23 Indore gas pipeline explosion on Thursday (August 6) informed the Madhya Pradesh High Court that they were yet to be reimbursed for their medical expenses despite assurances by the Municipal Corporation that treatment costs would be borne by the authorities.

They also alleged that the Corporation's reply before the Court incorrectly suggested that hospital expenses had already been cleared.

Division Bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi was hearing a public interest litigation seeking an independent probe into the explosion that occurred during alleged illegal borewell digging in Indore.

Counsel appearing for the victims submitted that despite earlier directions of the Court, the injured were still being charged for treatment and had not received reimbursement of their medical expenses.

Hearing this, the Court sought details regarding the treatment being provided to the injured and directed one of the advocates, who had submitted that victims were being charged even for medical dressing, to place on record details of the hospitals where the victims were undergoing treatment along with documents showing the payments made.

The victims further contended that the Municipal Corporation's reply incorrectly conveyed that hospital dues had already been cleared and reimbursements made, whereas no such payments had actually been received.

Referring to the Corporation's stand, one of the advocates submitted, "This gives the impression that they have paid Zydus Hospital, but till today morning no single payment has been made."

The victims also sought directions requiring the local councillor, along with the District Collector, State Disaster Management Authority, Avantika Gas Limited and the Commissioner of Police, Indore, to file replies in the matter.

It was submitted that according to media reports, the Councillor had publicly stated that engineers and officers of the Municipal Corporation were involved in the incident.

Accepting the request, the Bench directed that the matter be listed on August 7 for further hearing.

Earlier, the petitioner had informed the court that 3 persons had sustain severe burn injuries in the explosion and they were not being treated properly. The counsel for the State had however submitted that necessary instructions were already issued to the Bombay Hospital not to charge any amount from injured individuals.

An intervention application was also filed by a man seeking to airlift her sister, who sustained severe burn injuries in the explosion, for specialised treatment. The court had directed the State authorities to airlift the woman to Zydus Hospital Ahmedabad.

The PIL alleged that the incident disclosed prima facie negligence on the part of the authorities and their lack of coordination for granting permissions, supervising excavation activities and maintaining underground utility networks.

Therefore, the petition sought an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the fire and explosion that occurred during the borewell drilling incident. The petition also sought the constitution of a High-Level Inquiry Committee or Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident.

Case Title: Ritesh Inani v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-23532-2026

For Petitioners: Advocates Shrvan Kumar Lahoti, Jayesh Mehta, with Ritesh Inani (petitioner-in-person)

For State: Government Advocate Amit Bhatia

For Intervenor: Advocate Manoj Kumar Agrawal

For Municipal Corporation: Advocate Rishi Tiwari