According to officials, the staff ate their routine evening meal around 5 p.m., which included an aloo-gobi preparation. Within minutes, several workers identified as Hardik Soni (20), Pragilal Kushwaha (54), Golu Agnihotri (25), Bihari Lal Patel (60), Ramswaroop Kushwaha (47), Ravi Kaudar (19), Dayaram Kushwaha (65), Roshni Rajak (30) and Girja Rajak (35)  began vomiting and complaining of dizziness and anxiety. All nine were residents of Khajuraho and nearby villages.

They were first taken to Chhatarpur District Hospital in critical condition. Dr. Roshan Dwivedi, who attended to them, said all patients displayed strong symptoms of food poisoning. Their condition deteriorated overnight, prompting a decision to refer them to Jhansi Medical College for specialised treatment.

Six workers were shifted to Jhansi, and three of them were later moved to Gwalior’s New JAH Hospital as their condition worsened. By Tuesday morning, four of the referred workers including Ramswaroop Kushwaha and Girja Rajak — had died in the poison ward.

Police teams reached the resort soon after the incident was reported. Officers seized food samples and questioned staff about the preparation process. The health department also collected water, raw ingredients and kitchen hygiene samples for laboratory analysis. Officials said the exact cause of poisoning will be confirmed only after reports arrive.

Khajuraho MP V.D. Sharma said a detailed inquiry will be conducted and strict action taken if negligence is proven. Families of the deceased have demanded accountability from the resort management, calling the deaths a result of poor food safety practices.