Judicial probe into Datia drowning

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the drowning of pilgrims in river Sind in Datia district after visiting the spot even as the official toll reached 37. Six persons are still missing. He ordered the immediate suspension of SDM SS Trivedi and SDOP CR Chandoria for dereliction of duty.

A retired High Court judge will probe the circumstances leading to the incident. The local administration had blamed authorities of Manikheda dam in Shivpuri district for releasing water into the Sind and not informing them. On the first day, Chouhan ordered an inquiry by the district collector but asked the principal secretary home to take over the next day. However, when the toll kept increasing he ordered a judicial probe.