Indore contaminated water crisis has claimed its 25th victim, as the death toll continues to rise in the Bhagirathpura area. Hemant Gaikwad, a 51-year-old e-rickshaw driver, died during treatment at around 3 am on Tuesday, reported by Dainik Bhaskar. His death has left four daughters without their sole earning family member.
Hemant Gaikwad, also known as Bala, suddenly fell ill after drinking contaminated water on December 22. He was initially admitted to Verma Nursing Home in Pardeshipura on December 24 due to vomiting and diarrhea. After being discharged on December 28, his condition deteriorated again at home. On January 7, he was referred to Arvind Hospital as his health worsened, where doctors discovered he had cancer and kidney disease called cell carcinoma.
Hemant’s daughter Jia described the ordeal. “My father was first admitted to Verma Nursing Home on December 24 due to vomiting diarrhea. He was discharged on December 28. After this, his health deteriorated at home again and on January 8, he was admitted to Aurobindo Hospital. There it was found that he also has cancer and kidney problems,” she said.
Hemant supported his family of four daughters, Riya (21), Jia (20), Khushboo (16), and Manali (12), by driving e-rickshaws. With his death, the family faces a deepening financial crisis with no other earning member.
List of Victims Who Died So Far
| Name | Age | Date of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Sumitra Devi | 50 | December 21 |
| Ashoklal Panwar | 70 | December 24 |
| Gomti Rawat | 50 | December 26 |
| Urmila Yadav | 69 | December 27 |
| Jeevanlal Barede | 75 | December 28 |
| Seema Prajapat | 35 | December 29 |
| Santosh Bigoliya | 72 | December 29 |
| Avyan Sahu | 5 months | December 29 |
| Shravan Khuprao | 81 | December 29 |
| Ramkali | 47 | December 29 |
| Nandlal | 75 | December 30 |
| Uma Kori | 29 | December 30 |
| Manjula Wadhe | 70 | December 30 |
| Tarabai | 60 | December 30 |
| Hiralal | 65 | December 31 |
| Arvind Likhar | 40 | January 1 |
| Gitabai | 60 | January 1 |
| Harkunwar Bai | 75 | January 1 |
| Shankar Bhaya | 70 | January 1 |
| Omprakash Sharma | 69 | January 5 |
| Kamalabai | 59 | January 9 |
| Sunita Verma | 49 | January 10 |
| Bhagwandas | 64 | January 12 |
| Subhadrabai | 78 | January 15 |
| Hemant Gaikwad | 51 | January 21 |
Reports indicate that complaints about dirty water in the Bhagirathpura area had been received for a long time, but no concrete action was taken in time. The family revealed that Hemant wanted to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but could not due to his hospitalisation. He had conveyed his situation to Leader of Opposition Chintu Chokse.
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