Indore, March 2 A judicial commission investigating the deaths of several people due to contaminated drinking water in Indore has extended the deadline for submitting evidence, documents, and other related materials to April 1, officials said on Monday.
The earlier deadline was February 28, they added.
"In response to requests from several individuals, affected families, and organizations for an extension of the deadline, and with the objective of receiving maximum factual material, the commission has decided to extend the period. Interested individuals and organizations can now submit their objections, representations, documents, or evidence before the commission by April 1," an official said.
The single-member commission, headed by former Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, is investigating the causes of drinking water contamination in the Bhagirathpura area, the loss of lives, the medical impact on people, administrative lapses, action against those responsible, and remedial measures.
Complaints related to drinking water contamination in Bhagirathpura, patients' medical records, death certificates, photographs and videos related to leaks in drinking water pipelines and the mixing of sewage, documents for water supply works, work orders, and inspection reports can also be submitted to the commission, officials added.
An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea due to contaminated drinking water occurred in Bhagirathpura in the last week of December.
While local residents and the Congress claim that 36 people died in the outbreak, the figure given by state health minister Rajendra Shukla in the assembly is 22.