India, Jan. 12 -- Indore, celebrated as India's cleanest city, was in the news for over two weeks following a major drinking water contamination incident in the Bhagirathpura area. Sewage water reportedly mixed with the municipal water supply, resulting in widespread illness and multiple deaths.

According to a news report of NDTV on January 6, the death toll was 16, as claimed by the locals. A survey conducted by the government health department has found that more than 1,400 residents have fallen ill so far, and several remain hospitalised in serious condition.

However, official death figures varied widely. While some reports put the death toll between 4 and 15, the Madhya Pradesh government informed the High Court that only four death...