Nine employees remain hospitalised, with one, identified as Dayaram Kushwaha, on ventilator support. Doctors said the condition of six others is stable and showing signs of improvement, while medical teams continue to closely monitor all patients.
Preliminary findings from a short post-mortem examination of one of the deceased employees, Pragilal, point to “suspected poison” as the cause of death. Health officials said samples of food consumed at the resort have been sent for laboratory analysis, and the final report is expected by Monday. “The exact cause will be confirmed once the lab results are received,” a senior health official said.
In response to the incident, Chhatarpur Collector Parth Jaiswal announced immediate financial assistance of ₹20,000 from the Red Cross Society to each affected family. He has also directed officials to initiate the process for additional compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Administrative action has also begun. A show-cause notice has been issued to Food Safety Officer Ved Prakash Choubey, citing alleged negligence despite VVIP movement in the area. He has been asked to submit his explanation by 4 pm on December 15.
Meanwhile, Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police Agam Jain has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDOP Manmohan Singh Baghel. The SIT will examine CCTV footage, hotel records, staff attendance registers and seized food samples. Police officials said strict legal action would follow once responsibility is established.
The incident has raised serious concerns over food safety oversight at hospitality establishments in tourist hubs like Khajuraho, prompting authorities to consider wider inspections in the district.
.jpg)
