Siblings die on Diwali in Sehore, sister hospitalized in Bhopal:Father says, ‘Children were treated for vomiting and diarrhea’; claims both died within 14 hours of injections in Sehore

Ashta in Sehore district turned somber on Diwali as a family lost two children in just 14 hours. A third sibling, a three-year-old girl, remains in critical condition at Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal. According to the family, the children were initially treated for vomiting and diarrhea by a local quack doctor. The doctor administered medicine and injections, after which their condition deteriorated rapidly. The one-and-a-half-year-old girl, Anshika, died at the Civil Hospital, while her eight-year-old brother, Vansh, passed away en route to the district hospital. The surviving daughter, Vanshika, is now admitted to the children’s ward at Hamidia Hospital. On Tuesday, a health department team reached the village and seized the medicine. Dainik Bhaskar’s team went to the village, about 20 kilometers from the headquarters, and spoke to the children’s father and the doctor to try and understand the matter. Read the report… Details of the incident The incident occurred in Kachnariya village. On Monday, Anshika (1.5 years) and Vansh (8 years), children of Akhilesh Malviya, died, leaving the family devastated. Vansh was the only son of the family. On Tuesday, a health department team visited the village and seized the medicines administered by the doctor for further investigation. Dainik Bhaskar visited Kachnariya, about 20 km from the district headquarters, to speak with the children’s father and the doctor. The family home and village scene Kachnariya village, home to approximately 2,000 people, is located about 5 km inside from Molukhedi village on the Bhopal-Indore highway. The Malviya family home is a 20×40 ft house, with unplastered walls, situated near the Panchayat Bhavan. On Diwali, villagers, relatives, and women gathered outside the home while women mourned inside. The family was in shock after losing two children on the festival day. Akhilesh Malviya, visibly distressed, spoke to reporters about the tragic events. Symptoms and medical treatment Akhilesh Malviya (35), who works as a laborer in Ashta Mandi, said the children were fine until the evening of October 19. After dinner at around 8 pm, all three children suddenly experienced vomiting and diarrhea. The family took them to Dr. Rajesh, who runs a private clinic in Kothari village. The doctor administered medication and injections, and the children were sent home by around 10:30 pm. Within half an hour, Anshika’s condition worsened significantly. She was rushed to Civil Hospital, where she died around 7 am on Monday. While returning home after the final rites, Vansh became unwell. He was taken to Civil Hospital, then referred to Sehore District Hospital, but passed away during the ambulance ride. Vanshika, the youngest sibling, also developed severe symptoms and was immediately admitted to Civil Hospital before being referred to Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal. Family mourns lost joys With tears in his eyes, Akhilesh said, “Just a day ago everything was fine. Now, our home has lost its light. Our only son is gone. How can we celebrate Diwali now?” He recalled that they had planned to celebrate Diwali with fireworks and sweets for the children. “We thought the festival would be joyful, but everything collapsed in one day. We only showed the children to the doctor and gave them the medicine. Everything changed in hours,” he added. Health Department probe Following the deaths, a team led by VK Dohre from the Ashta Kotari Primary Health Center visited the village on Tuesday. They collected statements from the family and seized the medicines administered by the private doctor for lab testing. Dr. Amit Mathur, BMO of Civil Hospital, Sehore, said the children had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, and two of them died during treatment. “We are awaiting post-mortem reports for the deceased. The medicines will be tested, and the doctor’s actions investigated. Any negligence found will be addressed,” he said. Dr. Mathur also examined the prescriptions given by the private doctor and said the medicines appeared correct, but the reason for the children’s deteriorating condition requires investigation. Political leaders demand action Citing past incidents like the Chhindwara syrup tragedy, Congress leader and district Panchayat member Kamal Singh Chauhan visited the family on Tuesday. He emphasized that a fair investigation must be conducted to hold those responsible accountable. “After receiving medicines and injections from a private doctor, the children’s conditions worsened. The family should also receive financial assistance,” he added. ​