Mumbai: Bombay HC Seeks Updated Status Report From Govt On Deaths Of Children Due To Malnutrition In Tribal Areas
Mumbai: Expressing concern over the continued deaths of children due to malnutrition in tribal areas, the Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to file an updated status report outlining concrete measures taken to address the issue.
The court granted three weeks’ time to the state to submit a comprehensive affidavit highlighting the current situation, steps already implemented, and further action needed.
About The Case
The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigations (PILs) filed by activists Dr Rajendra Burma and Bandu Sampatrao Sane, which initially focused on malnutrition among children in the Melghat region.
The court had later expanded the scope of the petitions to cover the entire state, noting the widespread nature of the problem. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne questioned the state on its efforts so far. “What steps have you taken? Bring them on record. When was the last affidavit you filed?” asked the bench.
Government pleader Neha Bhide, representing the state, replied that the last report was submitted on June 14, 2023. Despite earlier directions, the petitioners pointed out that essential services remained inaccessible in many tribal-dominated regions. Advocate Uday Warunjikar, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted: “Paramedical staff required to be hired is not being done. Even sonography machines are not available. They don’t get proper treatment at primary health centres.”
He also flagged the language barrier in Amravati and similar areas, where local tribal communities often cannot communicate with available medical staff. The court said: “Don’t just give us problems, tell us the solutions also. We are required to pass appropriate orders,” he said.
The bench reminded the state of a previous order dated June 14, 2023, in which it had directed the identification of specific problem areas and issued orders to improve the condition of malnourished children. “Three areas need to be highlighted — the problem, steps taken due to the intervention of this court, and measures still required,” the judges said.
While acknowledging that there had been “some improvement,” the court stressed the need for sustained, area-specific efforts and policy-level decisions. It directed the petitioners and the state to jointly identify high-risk areas and propose actionable steps. “In the issue relating to the death of children due to malnutrition in tribal areas, three weeks’ time is granted to place on record the problems; steps taken due to intervention of the court and measures required to be taken,” the court said.
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