Very serious: Supreme Court on malnutrition deaths in tribal areas of MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Union of India and concerned States on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising concerns over acute child malnutrition and preventable disease outbreaks across tribal-dominated regions, including parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra [Ajab Lal Lilhare vs Union of India and Ors.]

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana termed the issue "very serious" after hearing submissions regarding daily fatalities of indigenous children due to severe malnutrition and lack of administrative intervention.

Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for the petitioner, submitted before the bench that deaths were occurring on a daily basis in severely affected blocks where malnutrition remains rampant among tribal populations.

The counsel stressed that despite early representations submitted to authorities and elected representatives, the administration remained indifferent while a lethal combination of Measles-Rubella and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) claimed the lives of dozens of children from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Thakur pointed out systemic collapses in the public health apparatus, including an acute deficit of medical officers, non-functional immunization drives that existed only on paper, and the complete stoppage of take-home rations and nutritional supplies from Anganwadi centres.

He further urged the Bench to examine the diversion and gross non-utilization of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, which are statutorily earmarked to address healthcare, drinking water and nutritional distress in mining-affected tribal areas.

The petition by Balaghat resident Ajab Lal Lilhare said that the ongoing child mortality crisis violates the fundamental guarantees under Articles 14 and 21, along with the Directive Principles enshrined under Articles 39(f) and 47.

The plea highlighted that habitations situated dozens of kilometres away from primary health centres remain entirely cut off from emergency referral services and mobile healthcare units, forcing marginalized communities to turn to unqualified practitioners.

The petitioner has sought directions to declare the severely affected regions as epidemic-prone areas under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, ensure immediate relief supplies including potable drinking water and emergency nutrition, and mandate saturation implementation of tribal welfare schemes such as the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

The plea has also sought independent accountability measures and statutory compensation for the families of the deceased tribal children.

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