Toddler dies after falling into open septic tank in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh; official suspended

A three-year-old boy died in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district after falling into an open septic tank when his family came to visit the Omkareshwar temple, officials said on Monday (July 28, 2026). The civic official has been suspended for negligence, they added.

According to officials, the incident took place in the early hours of July 24 when Tanush Usrathe, a resident of Nagpur in Maharashtra, came to Omkareshwar with his family to visit the famous Jyotirlinga. Shortly after they got off the bus at Brahmpuri, the child moved forward in poor visibility and fell into an open septic tank.

Speaking to The Hindu, Khandwa district collector Rishav Gupta said that while the engineer who was responsible for removing some debris near the tank and covering it with a lid has been suspended, the administration has also found negligence on part of a private cottage in the area and is considering legal action against both.

“The lodge sought permission to remove certain useful items from the rubble of a recently demolished structure. When they were given permission, they delayed the clearance process and the contractor they hired also removed iron rods from the septic tank lid and damaged it. The technician was responsible for supervising the work and closing the tank. Based on the preliminary investigation, we are considering action against all,” he said.

A government statement said Sanket Bhondve, commissioner of urban administration and development, had issued an order suspending Suresh Chandra Patidar, sub-engineer of Omkareshwar Nagar Parishad, “who was responsible for the accident”.

Another official said that while the child’s father immediately entered the tank and pulled out his son and took him to hospital, he died during treatment as his lungs filled with contaminated water.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 07:45 IST