An elderly man, Devendra Goyal, died during treatment on Tuesday after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance on the premises of the Sheopur Collectorate in Madhya Pradesh during a weekly public hearing — an incident that triggered a large-scale protest by family members and residents the following day. The case has drawn sharp political attention, with opposition leaders demanding accountability from district officials.

What Led to the Incident

According to relatives, Goyal had visited the Sheopur Collectorate to submit complaints regarding alleged encroachment on his shop. Family members alleged that he had approached the administration on multiple earlier occasions as well, but no action was taken on his grievances. Overcome by what relatives described as prolonged distress over official inaction, Goyal reportedly consumed a poisonous substance during the public hearing on the Collectorate premises. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition and died during treatment.

Protest and Disruption in Sheopur

On Wednesday morning, members of the Agarwal community and local residents gathered at Jai Stambh in Sheopur city, staging a sit-in protest with the body. Demonstrators raised slogans against Tehsildar Manisha Mishra and demanded her immediate removal from her post. The agitation disrupted normal life across the city — major roads were blocked and markets in several areas remained closed in solidarity. Heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order.

Administration Holds Talks, Protesters Stand Firm

Senior administrative officials, including SDM Gagan Meena, reached the protest site and entered into dialogue with the demonstrators. However, protesters refused to withdraw the agitation, insisting on strict action against the officials concerned. 'We repeatedly requested officials to resolve the matter, but nobody paid attention to his complaints. He was under stress for a long time,' a family member alleged during the protest.

Political Pressure Mounts

Congress MLA Babu Jandel joined the protest and demanded registration of a murder case against the Tehsildar. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari separately demanded a fair investigation into the incident and adequate compensation for the bereaved family. Patwari alleged that Goyal's repeated complaints had been ignored by the administration. 'This incident shows how public hearings have been reduced to mere formalities. A swift and impartial investigation must be conducted, and adequate compensation should be provided to the family,' Patwari wrote on X on Wednesday. The district administration has not yet issued a formal statement on the demands raised by protesters.