Indore Gas Pipeline Blast Victims Tell MP High Court They Are Yet to Be Reimbursed Despite Civic Body’s Assurances
The victims of the devastating Indore gas pipeline explosion have informed the Madhya Pradesh High Court that they are still awaiting reimbursement of their medical expenses, despite repeated assurances by the Indore Municipal Corporation that the entire cost of treatment would be borne by the authorities. The submissions were made during the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking an independent probe into the June 23 explosion, which allegedly occurred during illegal borewell digging that ruptured a gas pipeline.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi was told by counsel appearing for the victims that hospitals continue to charge injured persons for treatment, medicines and even routine medical dressing. The petitioners contended that this was in direct violation of the High Court’s earlier directions requiring the State and civic authorities to ensure free and uninterrupted medical treatment for all those injured in the incident.
The victims further alleged that the Municipal Corporation’s affidavit before the High Court created the impression that hospital dues had already been cleared and reimbursements made. However, according to the intervenors, no payments had actually been received by several hospitals or victims. During the hearing, counsel specifically submitted that even Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, where one of the critically injured victims is undergoing specialised treatment, had not received any payment despite the Corporation’s claims.
Taking serious note of these allegations, the High Court directed the advocates representing the victims to place on record details of the hospitals where treatment is being provided, along with documents showing the amounts paid by the victims. The Bench indicated that it would examine whether the authorities had complied with its earlier orders directing the State to bear all medical expenses arising from the blast.
The intervenors also urged the Court to direct the District Collector, State Disaster Management Authority, Avantika Gas Limited, Commissioner of Police, Indore, and the local councillor to file their responses. They pointed to media reports suggesting that officials of the Municipal Corporation were allegedly involved in the circumstances leading to the pipeline rupture, arguing that a comprehensive inquiry was necessary to fix responsibility.
Accepting the request, the Division Bench directed that the additional stakeholders be brought on record and fixed the matter for further hearing. The case continues to be closely watched as the High Court monitors both the criminal investigation into the explosion and the implementation of relief measures, including compensation and medical reimbursement for the injured victims. The proceedings are expected to shape the accountability of civic authorities in one of Indore’s most serious recent public safety incidents.
