MP High Court Calls For Police Commissioner's Response On Why FIR Was Not Registered Over Death Of Infants Due To Rat Bite In Govt Hospital

Taking suo motu cognizance of a news report about the death of two infant babies in the ICU of government-run M.Y. Hospital due to rat bites, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Police Commissioner of Indore to file a reply explaining why no FIR was registered. 

The division bench of Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi observed; 

"The respondent No. 5 is also directed to file a reply explaining why an FIR has not been registered in the case of the death of two infants in the ICU of the Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Hospital, Indore". 

During the hearing of September 10, the division bench had observed that the incident prima facie reflected gross negligence on the part of the hospital administration. The bench further noted that no action was taken against any officers, doctors or employees over such negligence. 

The bench also noted that one of the infants belonged to the tribal family of Dhar District. 

The division bench, on September 10, had issued a show cause notice to the Principal Secretary of Public Health and Family Welfare Department, the Commissioner of Indore Division, the Collector of Indore, the Police Commissioner of Indore and the Dean of M.Y. Hospital. 

During the hearing of September 15, the court was informed that the Commissioner of Health was incharge of the MGM medical college. The Dean of the MGM Medical College has filed a detailed reply explaining the nature of the said incident. 

However, the bench observed, "The respondents are trying to justify that the two infants did not die due to rat bites but due to multiple congenital malformations. According to the respondents, the MGM Medical College is facing problems of shortage of staff, poor maintenance of the building by the Public Works Department, etc. According to the respondents, the contract for pest control given to HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES) has been terminated. It is further submitted that disciplinary action has been taken against nursing staff". 

The division bench further directed the Director of Health and Medical Education to file a reply. The court further issued notice to the Public Works Department and the HLL Infra Tech Services Limited to be impleaded as respondents nos 8 and 9. 

Additionally, the bench directed PWD to file a reply on the following points:

"(i) Condition of the building of Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Hospital, Indore / MGM Medical College, both internal and external.
(ii) The life expectancy of the buildings.
(iii) Condition of the drainage system.
(iv) Condition of electrification.
(v) How much budget would be required from the government for improvements?"

The PWD was also directed to prepare a DPR through its Executive Engineer or by engaging a consultant agency for the renovation, repair and maintenance of the MGM Medical College building and hostel residential quarters, etc.

The case was listed for October 6, 2025. 

Case Title: In reference Suo Motu v State of MP (WP-36817-2025)

Amicus Curiae: Senior Advocate Piyush Mathur and Kirti Patwardhan 

For State: Additional Advocate General Vishwajeet Joshi with Deputy Advocate General Sudeep Bhargava

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