The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought the State Government's reply in an advocate's public interest litigation seeking urgent intervention over the deaths of 25 children belonging to the Baiga Community, allegedly due to infectious disease and poor healthcare infrastructure.

Previously, on September 3, the division bench of the Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal had directed the Petitioner to personally visit the affected area and place an affidavit regarding the ground reality, stating that the allegations cannot be adjudicated upon unless based on personal knowledge of the petitioner.

On Wednesday, the Court observed,

"In compliance of order dated 03.09.2026, the petitioner personally visited the place and collected various information, which are reflected in his affidavit dated 09.09.2026. Let all these facts be brought on record in the writ petition by way of amendment, so that the respondents can be called upon to submit their reply".

The petitioner claimed to have filed this plea based on a news article published in "The Pioneer". Per the petition, these children belong to a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group and reside in remote villages in the Birsa and Baihar Blocks of Balaghat District. The petition stated that about 25 children died from various diseases, including measles, malaria, including falciparum malaria, high fever, scabies, and severe malnutrition.

The petition claimed that the District Administration attributed 8 deaths since June 2026 to seasonal illnesses, including malaria and measles, while other deaths were stated to have been caused by unrelated causes.

The petition claimed that the children belong to poor families and lack access to healthcare, emphasizing that the nearest Primary healthcare centres are 15-40 km away. The petition further stated that the families are compelled to depend on traditional healing practices or on local or unqualified medical practitioners.

The petition claimed that the Government was conducting temporary medical camps, but the same are insufficient where the children are vulnerable due to inadequate nutrition, sanitation, drinking water, and access to healthcare. The petition further stated that the State is constitutionally obligated to take effective preventive measures and is also obligated to protect vulnerable children from avoidable diseases.

Thus, the petition sought the following reliefs

1. Directions to the authorities to undertake an immediate, comprehensive health survey of children in the affected villages

2. Direct authorities to constitute a High-Level Medical/Expert Committee to ascertain the causes of death

3. Direct authorities to ensure all affected children are admitted to Government Hospitals or other medical facilities and are provided adequate, nutritious, and hygienically prepared food at least three times a day free of cost per the applicable government norms.

4. Direct authorities to place a village-wise report of the affected children along with diagnosed diseases, treatments provided, and present health status.

5. Direct the immediate establishment of adequate mobile medical units and emergency medical camps in affected and adjoining remote villages.

6. Direct authorities to ensure testing and treatment for infectious diseases with the availability of essential medicines and emergency referral facilities.

The petition also sought 7 other prayers, which are consequential or adjoining to the mentioned reliefs.

For Petitioner: Advocates Atul Kumar Shukla and Abhishek Pandey

For State: Deputy Advocate General Vivek Sharma