Overview
- A bench led by Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Sandesh Patil called the situation “horrific” and criticized an “extremely casual” response to the crisis.
- Petitioners told the court that 65 infants aged zero to six months have died since June 2025 in the tribal Melghat region.
- State lawyers disputed that malnutrition caused the deaths and said pneumonia was responsible, setting up a factual contest for the court.
- Principal secretaries from public health, tribal affairs, women and child development, and finance must file affidavits and appear on November 24.
- The court flagged shuttered or under-resourced health centers, poor roads, and staff shortages, and suggested higher pay for doctors and clear accountability mechanisms.