The Bombay High Court has reprimanded the state government over the deaths of 65 children due to malnutrition in Maharashtra's Melghat. Calling it a "question of humanity," the court ordered senior officials to appear on November 24.
Mumbai: The deaths of 65 children due to malnutrition in Maharashtra's tribal-dominated Melghat region have raised profound questions about the state's administrative system. The Bombay High Court adopted a firm stance on this distressing situation, severely reprimanding the state government. The court stated that the government's approach is "extremely careless and insensitive" and that this problem has now become a "question of humanity's existence."
Court Takes Strict Stance on 65 Child Deaths Due to Malnutrition
During the hearing of public interest litigations, a division bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil noted that 65 children in the 0 to 6 months age group have died due to malnutrition since June 2025. The court stated that this situation is not only severe but also "shameful" for the state. Questioning the documents presented by the government, the court remarked that "everything is being reported as fine on paper, while the ground reality is quite different."
Orders Since 2006, Still No Improvement
During the hearing, the court stated that the state government has been consistently warned about this matter since 2006, yet no concrete improvement has been seen. The court remarked, "This is an extremely dire situation. You have been receiving orders for years, yet the conditions remain unchanged. This clearly indicates how unserious the government is about this issue."
Court Questions: Why Do Deaths Continue Despite Warnings?
The court sternly questioned why, despite repeated warnings, child deaths due to malnutrition continue unabated. The court emphasized that this is not merely a matter of statistics but a question of human lives. The division bench sought a response from the government detailing what concrete steps have been taken to tackle this crisis and what accountability has been established.
High Court Summons Senior Officials
The court directed the state government to ensure that the Principal Secretaries of the Public Health, Tribal Development, Women and Child Welfare, and Finance departments appear personally in court on November 24. The court stated that these officials must explain the steps taken so far and outline the future strategy. The court added, "This is not an ordinary administrative matter, but a question deeply intertwined with humanity and life itself."
Government's Light Approach to Public Health
The division bench remarked that the government is treating a grave issue like public health very lightly. Describing the situation as "extremely tragic," the court stated that the state must now establish a robust policy and accountability. The court commented that "the state lacks a clear plan to address this problem. It needs to be implemented on the ground, not merely on paper."
Special Incentives for Doctors Recommended
The court expressed concern over the scarcity of doctors in tribal areas such as Melghat. Justice Mohite Dere suggested that "the government should offer additional salaries or incentive payments to doctors working in such regions to motivate them to provide services there." The court noted that the shortage of medical services is intensifying this problem.
Detailed Report Sought from Government
The High Court has instructed the Public Health, Tribal Development, Women and Child Welfare, and Finance departments to present a detailed report on the steps taken thus far regarding this issue. The court explicitly stated that no excuses would be entertained in this matter moving forward. The court warned that if the situation does not improve, individual accountability will be established.
Melghat's Agony: A Crisis Enduring for Decades
The Melghat region, located in Amravati district of eastern Maharashtra, has been in the spotlight for years due to malnutrition, maternal mortality, and inadequate health services. This is a tribal-dominated area where children are most severely affected by poverty and a scarcity of healthcare facilities. The court has been issuing continuous orders on this issue since 2006, yet improvement has been negligible.
Serious Questions Raised on Government's Failure
The deaths of 65 children between June and November 2025 have raised serious questions about the state government's health policy. The court stated that the government lacks a long-term plan and that conditions will not improve with mere paper reports. The court remarked, "This case exposes the government's priorities and demonstrates that the most vulnerable segment — children — remain neglected today."
