The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of seven-year-old Madivi Jamuna, a Class 2 student from Gollaguppa village in Polavaram district, Andhra Pradesh, who died hours after being administered a chloroquine anti-malaria tablet during a government health drive on 1 September. The court has directed the Andhra Pradesh High Court to closely monitor the ongoing investigation into the incident.

What Happened in Gollaguppa Village

The incident occurred during an anti-malaria drive in Gollaguppa village, Yetapaka mandal, Polavaram district, a settlement located near the Andhra Pradesh–Telangana border. Personnel from the Lakshmipuram Primary Health Centre distributed chloroquine tablets to 71 people as a preventive measure after at least five malaria cases were detected in the village.

Jamuna, a Koya tribal girl, fell ill shortly after consuming the tablet and died within hours. In parallel, 52 villagers — the majority of them children — were admitted to hospitals. Of these, 28 were shifted to the government hospital in Bhadrachalam, Telangana; all of them recovered and were discharged the following day.

Status of the Investigation

An First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the death, according to submissions made before the Supreme Court. Investigators are currently awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which is expected to be a critical piece of evidence in determining whether the chloroquine tablet — or its specific batch — was linked to Jamuna's death and the illnesses reported among other villagers.

The Supreme Court's decision to take suo motu cognisance places the probe under direct judicial oversight, a step that significantly raises the accountability bar for state authorities. The court has also asked the High Court to keep a close watch on the inquiry as it progresses.

Political and Administrative Response

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had earlier ordered a separate probe into the incident. The Supreme Court's intervention now adds a layer of judicial supervision to the executive inquiry, ensuring that the investigation cannot be wound down without judicial clearance.

Notably, the incident involves a member of the Koya tribal community, a particularly vulnerable population in the Polavaram region, raising additional concerns about the administration of public health programmes in tribal belt villages near the inter-state border.

What Happens Next

The FSL report is awaited and is expected to shape the direction of the criminal investigation. The Andhra Pradesh High Court is now mandated to monitor proceedings closely and report back. This case could also prompt a wider review of anti-malaria drug distribution protocols in tribal and border regions across the country.