Indore, January 2, 2026: A six-month-old baby born after a decade of prayers and vows died within days after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, as a diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak continues to grip the city’s Bhagirathpura area.
A heavy silence hangs over Marathi Mohalla, where Avyan Sahu lived with his family. Born after 10 years of fervent prayers, the infant died on December 29 after falling severely ill, his family said. What began as routine feeding turned fatal when packaged milk was diluted with water supplied through a municipal tap.
The Sahu family has refused the ₹2 lakh ex-gratia compensation announced by the state government. Avyan’s grandmother, Krishna Sahu, said no amount of money could compensate for the loss of a child. She recalled that the family had prayed for years and even made vows at Hussain Tekri Dargah for the child’s birth.
According to the family, Avyan was healthy and had gained weight before he suddenly developed diarrhoea. Doctors initially advised home medication, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Due to insufficient breast milk, the infant was being fed packaged milk and milk powder mixed with tap water. The family alleged that contaminated water caused the illness that proved fatal.
Residents claim that at least 15 people have died in Bhagirathpura over the past year due to repeated outbreaks linked to polluted drinking water, with Avyan being the youngest victim. The health department, however, has officially confirmed only four deaths related to the outbreak.
Neighbour Anita Sen said fear has gripped families with young children in the area. She urged authorities to act decisively to ensure that no other mother loses a child due to unsafe water.
The outbreak has affected more than 1,400 people in the locality over the last nine days. Health officials said 272 patients were admitted to hospitals, with 71 discharged so far. At least 32 patients remain in intensive care units as treatment continues.
