Indore: As many as five children have died in a shelter here over the past three days, while 31 other inmates have been hospitalized, prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to order a high-level probe.
While the exact reasons for the deaths have yet to be determined, food poisoning could be among the causes, a doctor said.
More than 204 children, including orphans and those suffering from mental illness, were accommodated at NGO Shri Yugpurush Dham's 'Bal Ashram' shelter in the limits of Malharganj police station, an official said.
A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was transferred after a video showing him laughing during an inquest into the deaths surfaced on social media.
While Shubh (8) died on Sunday after suffering seizures, Karan (12), Akash (7), Chhota Govind (5) and Rani (11) died in the last two days, officials said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Alok Kumar Sharma said the exact cause of the deaths will be known once the post-mortem reports arrive.
There are currently a total of 31 children admitted in the government Chacha Nehru children's hospital.
Dr Preeti Malpani, superintendent of the hospital, said the children started vomiting and suffering from diarrhea after having dinner on Monday night.
"At first glance, it appears that his health deteriorated due to food poisoning," she said.
Indore district collector Ashish Singh visited the hospital.
"According to doctors, it appears to be a case of food poisoning. A team led by additional district magistrate, including doctors and food department officials, has been sent to Bal Ashram for investigation," Singh said.
Following the uproar over the death of children, a joint team from various departments of the administration reached Bal Ashram and launched an investigation.
Additional district magistrate Rajendra Singh Raghuvanshi said a detailed investigation into the shelter was underway.
"Appropriate action will be taken if the investigation uncovers any negligence on the part of its directors," he said.
A team from the food department also collected samples of food and food products from the ashram and sent them for analysis.
The management of Shri Yugpurush Dham has written to the Child Welfare Committee, claiming that ten of its inmates have "blood infection". It was stated that the administration is yet to verify the claim.
Meanwhile, a video showing sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Omnarayan Singh Badkul allegedly laughing and joking during the investigation surfaced on social media, triggering strong reactions.
Eyewitnesses said Badkul was allegedly seen laughing and joking with the ashram director and other officials.
Subsequently, district magistrate Ashish Singh removed Badkul from the post of SDM and sent him to the district election office, sources said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a post on X, mourned the deaths.
"The news of the untimely death of four innocent children from the Indore orphanage is heartbreaking. I pray to Baba Mahakal to grant peace to the souls of the deceased and speedy recovery to all the seriously ill children," he said.
The death of a fifth child was confirmed after the CM released the message.
A high-level committee was formed to investigate this tragic incident and the Malharganj SDM was removed from office for his insensitive behaviour, he added in the post.
While the exact reasons for the deaths have yet to be determined, food poisoning could be among the causes, a doctor said.
More than 204 children, including orphans and those suffering from mental illness, were accommodated at NGO Shri Yugpurush Dham's 'Bal Ashram' shelter in the limits of Malharganj police station, an official said.
A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was transferred after a video showing him laughing during an inquest into the deaths surfaced on social media.
While Shubh (8) died on Sunday after suffering seizures, Karan (12), Akash (7), Chhota Govind (5) and Rani (11) died in the last two days, officials said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Alok Kumar Sharma said the exact cause of the deaths will be known once the post-mortem reports arrive.
There are currently a total of 31 children admitted in the government Chacha Nehru children's hospital.
Dr Preeti Malpani, superintendent of the hospital, said the children started vomiting and suffering from diarrhea after having dinner on Monday night.
"At first glance, it appears that his health deteriorated due to food poisoning," she said.
Indore district collector Ashish Singh visited the hospital.
"According to doctors, it appears to be a case of food poisoning. A team led by additional district magistrate, including doctors and food department officials, has been sent to Bal Ashram for investigation," Singh said.
Following the uproar over the death of children, a joint team from various departments of the administration reached Bal Ashram and launched an investigation.
Additional district magistrate Rajendra Singh Raghuvanshi said a detailed investigation into the shelter was underway.
"Appropriate action will be taken if the investigation uncovers any negligence on the part of its directors," he said.
A team from the food department also collected samples of food and food products from the ashram and sent them for analysis.
The management of Shri Yugpurush Dham has written to the Child Welfare Committee, claiming that ten of its inmates have "blood infection". It was stated that the administration is yet to verify the claim.
Meanwhile, a video showing sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Omnarayan Singh Badkul allegedly laughing and joking during the investigation surfaced on social media, triggering strong reactions.
Eyewitnesses said Badkul was allegedly seen laughing and joking with the ashram director and other officials.
Subsequently, district magistrate Ashish Singh removed Badkul from the post of SDM and sent him to the district election office, sources said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a post on X, mourned the deaths.
"The news of the untimely death of four innocent children from the Indore orphanage is heartbreaking. I pray to Baba Mahakal to grant peace to the souls of the deceased and speedy recovery to all the seriously ill children," he said.
The death of a fifth child was confirmed after the CM released the message.
A high-level committee was formed to investigate this tragic incident and the Malharganj SDM was removed from office for his insensitive behaviour, he added in the post.
