Ujjain Tragedy: 11 Children Die in 51 Days at Sevadham Ashram; MP High Court Demands Accountability

A harrowing health crisis has unfolded at the Ankit Sevadham Ashram in Ambodia, Ujjain, where 11 children have lost their lives in a span of just 51 days. The deaths, occurring between November 20, 2025, and January 10, 2026, have sent shockwaves through Madhya Pradesh, prompting the MP High Court to intervene and demand an immediate investigation into the facility’s living conditions.

A Pattern of Tragedy: Timeline of Deaths

The victims, most of whom were aged between 10 and 18 and suffered from multiple disabilities, were brought to the Ujjain District Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical intervention, they succumbed during treatment. According to records from the Government Charak Hospital:

• December 2025: 8 children died.

• January 2026: 3 children have died to date.

Hospital RMO Dr. Chinmay Chincholkar confirmed that post-mortems were conducted under police supervision. Initial findings indicate that severe anemia and pre-existing chronic conditions were the primary causes of death.

High Court Takes Cognisance

The MP High Court took judicial notice of the matter on Wednesday following reports that a total of 17 children have died at the ashram over the past year. The court has issued stern notices to:

1. The Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh.

2. The Principal Secretary of Women and Child Development.

3. The Collector and Commissioner of Ujjain.

4. The Ashram Superintendent.

The authorities have been given two weeks to submit a detailed inspection report. The next hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.

Current Crisis: 50 Children Remain Critical

The ashram currently houses approximately 250 orphaned and disabled children. Ashram director Sudhir Bhai Goyal stated that more than 50 children are currently in critical condition. Goyal defended the institution, noting that many children arrive at Sevadham Ashram Ujjain with terminal illnesses, severe malnutrition, or respiratory issues.

"Most of the children coming to the ashram already suffer from serious illnesses. There are many who cannot walk, eat, or even sit up on their own," Goyal explained.

The Indore Connection

Investigations have revealed a link to the Yug Purush Dham Ashram in Indore. Approximately 1.5 years ago, after a similar string of deaths and allegations of mismanagement in Indore, the administration cancelled that facility's recognition. Consequently, 86 differently-abled children were shifted to the Ujjain ashram. Tragically, a significant number of the deceased children in the current Ujjain crisis were among those transferred from the Indore facility.

Conclusion and Outlook

The recurring deaths of vulnerable children in state-monitored care homes raise urgent questions about the quality of medical supervision and nutritional support provided to disabled orphans. While the ashram cites pre-existing conditions, the sheer volume of fatalities in such a short window suggests a systemic failure.