The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the State authorities in connection with the death of two infants after they were gnawed upon by rats at Indore’s government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao (MY) Hospital, asking them what action has been taken in the matter.
Taking suo moto cognizance of the matter, a Division Bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and J.K. Pillai asked the government to file a status report within five days along with the list of people against whom action has been taken, while saying that prima facie the incident appears to be a “gross negligence” on part of the hospital administration.
In a verbal communication, the Bench asked the Additional Advocate General to furnish replies from various government authorities, including Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Public Health and Medical Education department; Indore Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, city Police Commissioner; and the dean of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, which the hospital is linked with. The court also asked him to submit the postmortem reports of the two newborn girls, who died at the hospital’s neo-natal ICU.
On August 30 and 31, the two girls were gnawed upon by rats inside the NICU of the MY Hospital, one of Madhya Pradesh’s largest government-run medical facility. The two children subsequently died on September 2 and 3, with the hospital administration denying that the children died due to rat bites attributing the deaths to pneumonia and septicaemia, respectively.
The incident sparked an outrage against the government authorities, raising concerns about basic hygiene at State-run hospitals, prompting suspension of multiple officials and a fine imposed on a private firm, responsible for pest control at the facility. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also ordered high-level probe into the incident, while the NHRC has also sought a report from the government.
The Opposition Congress and various social outfits and the families of the deceased children have, however, expressed anger at the government’s handling of the matter, alleging lack of action against any senior official.
Hours after the High Court’s intervention on Wednesday (September 10, 2025), the hospital administration removed Dr. Brajesh Lahoti, head of the department of paediatric surgery, from his post, while suspending Dr. Manoj Joshi, who had assumed charge just days before the incident in the absence of Dr. Lahoti.
Meanwhile, hospital superintendent Dr. Ashok Yadav has gone on a 15-day leave, citing health concerns.
The High Court has listed the matter on September 15.
