A person shows a sample of the drinking water that is being collected following a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water, at Bhagirathpura area, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. (PTI Photo)

Following the deaths of 10 people after consuming contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura, locals have blamed a police outpost toilet, which was built without a proper septic tank, for the tragedy.

According to locals, the waste line from the toilet emptied into a pit located directly above a drinking water pipeline, allowing sewage to seep into the water supply. They have demanded that a case of culpable homicide be registered against those responsible for the alleged negligence, according to a report in Times of India.

Hours after reports of deaths and hospitalisations surfaced on December 29, officials from the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) discovered that the toilet attached to the Bhagirathpura police outpost lacked a proper septic system. Instead, waste was reportedly discharged into an open pit, contaminating the pipeline and affecting a large number of residents.

“So many of us lost their lives because there was negligence while constructing a police toilet? This is shocking. A case should be registered and someone should be held accountable,” TOI quoted a local resident, Ashok Pathi, as saying. Others echoed similar concerns, demanding action against the contractor, although officials said identifying the original builder may be difficult.

“A lot of families here are living in fear now because what we trusted as safe drinking water turned fatal. Someone’s negligence cost lives, and the people responsible must be punished,” said Ramesh Verma, another resident.

Toilet Demolished After Leaks Found

Former IMC commissioner Dileep Yadav said seepage was first detected behind the police outpost and identified as a major contamination source. Additional leaks were later found, following which the toilet was demolished. Authorities were also examining how the construction was permitted without safeguards.

“We are still worried every time we turn on the tap. Authorities should ensure this never happens again, and those at fault shouldn’t be allowed to walk away easily,” Meena Jain, a resident of Bhagirathpura said.

Banganga police said the outpost was built in 2003 on public garden land with local contributions. DCP Rajesh Vyas said soil and water samples had been collected, adding, “Currently, it is just suspected that seepage from the outpost bathroom was the main cause of contamination which caused deaths. Once it is established, strict actions will be taken against those responsible.”

Vijayvargiya Says Water Samples Test Negative For Pathogens

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday said testing of water samples taken from Bhagirathpura, indicates improvement but urged continued caution.