'115 deaths due to malnutrition': Bombay High Court raps Maharashtra govt for 'too little being done'

Bombay High Court (file image)

• Bombay High Court criticizes Maharashtra's handling of tribal infant, maternal deaths
• Court demands clear plan and zero-tolerance to prevent malnutrition deaths
• State must submit a detailed healthcare plan for tribal regions by Feb 27.

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The Bombay High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Maharashtra government, saying the response to repeated deaths of infants and expecting mothers in the state’s tribal regions has fallen woefully short, and demanded a clear plan to address the crisis.

A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri was hearing a clutch of petitions focused on alarming fatalities among children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers in the Melghat tribal belt.

The judges stressed that administrative intent mattered as much as schemes on paper.

“Problems are many. The government must have the will and desire to overcome those problems,” the bench observed.

The court reacted sharply after being told that more than 115 infants, pregnant women, and lactating mothers had died due to malnutrition.

While the state, in an affidavit, maintained that malnutrition was not the sole cause behind every death and cited multiple contributing factors, the judges were unconvinced that enough had been done over the years.

Appearing for the state, additional government pleader PB Samant pointed to deep-rooted social issues in the region. “Most women in these areas are married as young as 13 or 14 years old, and then they get pregnant immediately, and sometimes delivery happens prematurely, leading to medical complications,” he told the court.

The bench underlined that identifying underlying causes was essential before remedies could be effective, and urged the administration to move beyond explanations.

“Too little is being done. The government has to take a zero-tolerance approach to ensure such deaths do not occur on account of common reasons, as is being seen in the last two or three decades,” the High Court said.

Calling for targeted intervention, the judges said special measures were needed for those most at risk, including access to basic healthcare and amenities.

Strengthening Primary Health Centres was flagged as a priority, along with ensuring the presence of senior gynaecologists and paediatricians, not just newly qualified doctors.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 27. By then, the court directed the state to submit a detailed road map outlining how it intends to tackle the problem and to step up awareness efforts in the affected regions.