Over fifteen months have passed since 17 inhabitants of Badhal village in the Kandi block of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, mysteriously lost their lives within a span of 49 days. However, experts have yet to ascertain the exact cause of these deaths, which shocked the entire Union Territory in January 2025.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, in a written reply to a question by MLA Budhal Choudhary Javed Iqbal, informed the Legislative Assembly on Saturday that certain toxic substances were found in samples collected from the affected village. However, an expert panel is still examining the case to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
"As per the provisional findings of toxicological analysis conducted by CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, and PGIMER, Chandigarh, the incidents do not appear to be linked to any viral or bacterial outbreak," the minister said. She added, "Instead, the presence of certain toxic substances, including pesticide compounds such as aldicarb sulfone, acetamiprid, and butoxycarboxim, along with elevated cadmium levels found in some samples, indicates a possible neurotoxic exposure as the cause of illness."
"A Special Investigation Team (SIT) and an inter-ministerial investigation team constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs are presently examining the matter in detail to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances," the minister informed the House.
"A series of unexplained illness clusters occurred in Rajouri between December 7, 2024, and January 24, 2025, wherein several members from closely related families developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, drowsiness, breathlessness, and altered sensorium," the minister said.
"These incidents occurred in four clusters involving a total of 55 affected persons, out of which 17 deaths were reported," she said, adding, "The affected individuals were promptly shifted to CHC Kandi, GMC Rajouri, and SMGS Hospital Jammu for specialised treatment."
"The index patient recovered and was discharged on January 2, 2025, while subsequent clusters also involved patients from related families and individuals who had contact with the affected households," the minister said.
She added, "Immediately after the incidents, the Health & Medical Education Department, in coordination with the district administration, initiated extensive containment and investigation measures."
She said that medical camps were established in the affected area and door-to-door surveillance covering 3,577 residents was undertaken. Rapid response teams were deployed for screening and contact tracing. Samples of food, water, drugs, and biological specimens were collected and sent for laboratory analysis.
"Isolation wards were established at GMC Rajouri, GMC Jammu, and SMGS Hospital Jammu, while ambulance services and round-the-clock medical teams were deployed," she said, adding, "The matter was reviewed at the highest level by the chief minister, health minister, and chief secretary. Expert teams from ICMR, NCDC, PGIMER Chandigarh, AIIMS New Delhi, and other national institutions were also involved in the detailed investigation."
13 children among 17 dead under mysterious circumstances in Rajouri village
The mysterious illness in Badhal village of Rajouri claimed 17 lives, including 13 children from three ill-fated families in this remote hamlet inhabited by economically weaker sections. However, the exact cause of these deaths remains unknown.
Although 38 patients have been discharged after complete recovery, authorities are still unable to determine the cause behind the series of mysterious deaths in the village.
The illness, which first emerged on December 7, 2024, has so far claimed 17 lives, sparking panic and uncertainty among residents.
The first incident was reported on December 7, 2024, when seven-year-old Nazia Kousar died after showing symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
Her two elder brothers, Ishtiaq (9) and Ashfaq (11), were rushed to Kotranka Civil Hospital and later referred to GMC Jammu for specialised treatment. Ishtiaq succumbed to the illness while undergoing treatment.
The tragedy deepened when their 12-year-old sister, Ruksar, died three days later while receiving treatment in Jammu. Earlier, their father Fazal Hussain and three siblings—Rabia Kousar (15), Farmana Kousar (12), and Rafter Ahmad (4)—had also died under similar circumstances on December 8, 2024.
Home Minister orders an investigation.
On January 18, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team to visit Badhal village in Rajouri district to ascertain the cause of the deaths.
The central team, headed by a senior Union Home Ministry officer, comprised experts from the ministries of health and family welfare, agriculture, chemicals and fertilisers, and water resources, as well as specialists from animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science laboratories.
