Home / Crime and Justice / Shocking Deaths at Chhattisgarh Gharounda Centers
Shocking Deaths at Chhattisgarh Gharounda Centers
4 Nov
Summary
- Five inmates, including a child, died at Gharounda centers.
- Court shocked by alleged medical care lapses and monitoring failures.
- Inadequate procedures and documentation highlighted by deaths.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has voiced deep concern following the deaths of five individuals, including a five-year-old child, at Gharounda centers, which are group homes for adults with disabilities. A division bench was particularly shocked by alleged lapses in medical care, inadequate monitoring, and the absence of documented procedures, as highlighted by the fatalities.
A court commissioner's inspection of centers in Raipur and Bilaspur revealed a "sorry state of affairs." The commissioner's report detailed the deaths of five inmates in 2026, including a child whose reported cause of death at the center differed significantly from hospital records, raising discrepancies about his health conditions and the circumstances of his demise.
Further inspections exposed critical gaps in medical supervision. Guidelines mandating regular doctor visits and round-the-clock nursing staff were found to be largely unmet. In one instance at a Bilaspur center, a male inmate was found physically restrained, with no medical justification or record provided.
The court has directed the state government to provide detailed responses within two weeks. Additionally, the court instructed nodal officers and center in-charges to share monthly reports with court commissioners to improve oversight and aid the court's ongoing examination of the issues. These directions stem from a PIL filed by the Kopal Vani Child Welfare Organisation.
