Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari on Thursday, 22 October 2026, visited AIIMS Bhopal to meet devotees injured in the Gwalior road accident that claimed 16 lives, demanding an impartial investigation, accountability for those found negligent, and compensation of ₹25 lakh for the family of each deceased person. Patwari directed sharp criticism at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's government, alleging that systemic failures in public safety had gone unaddressed across Madhya Pradesh.

What Patwari Demanded

Speaking after meeting the injured and their relatives at AIIMS Bhopal, Patwari called on the state government to provide at least ₹25 lakh to the next of kin of each of the 16 deceased and to bear the full cost of treatment for those still hospitalised. He also demanded that officials and others found responsible for negligence face direct action.

'The government must provide at least ₹25 lakh to the family of each deceased person and bear the entire cost of treatment for the injured,' Patwari said. He alleged that adequate safety arrangements and timely precautions could have prevented some of the deaths.

Broader Pattern of Tragedies Cited

Patwari alleged that the Gwalior accident was not an isolated failure but part of a wider pattern of preventable tragedies under the present state administration. He cited the deaths of 26 children reportedly linked to adulterated cough syrup, more than 100 deaths in an illicit liquor case in Sagar, 15 to 17 deaths in a similar incident in Bhind, and 36 deaths attributed to contaminated water in Indore.

He also referred to the Balaghat accident and a road accident involving devotees travelling from Betul to Khatu Shyam, arguing these incidents collectively pointed to the need for stronger preventive mechanisms and greater administrative accountability.

'Our government has effectively mastered mass casualty incidents. Mohan Yadav's government has set a world record for what continuous mass killings look like,' Patwari alleged, in remarks that reflected the opposition's escalating political offensive against the ruling administration.

Accountability Over Compensation

Patwari made a pointed distinction between announcing relief and ensuring structural reform. He argued that financial assistance announced after tragedies was no substitute for identifying systemic lapses and preventing recurrence.

'The government's responsibility does not end with announcing compensation after a tragedy. It must ensure accountability and take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from recurring,' he said.

Political Context

The Congress leader's visit to AIIMS Bhopal and public remarks come amid a broader opposition effort to hold the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government accountable for a series of mass-casualty events in Madhya Pradesh. This is the latest in a string of such incidents to draw political scrutiny in the state. The Mohan Yadav government has not yet formally responded to Patwari's demands as of the time of reporting.