India, June 24 -- A day after pulling up the Maharashtra government over the drinking water crisis in Melghat, the Bombay high court on Tuesday demanded proof that water tankers dispatched to the tribal region were reaching residents, questioning why villagers continued to report severe shortages despite official records showing regular supply.

The court's observations came after petitioners claimed several villages had gone without water for as many as eight days despite the government's assurances of regular supply.

"Show evidence that they've received the water. We have taken this matter up only because the petitioners are saying water is not received, that too for eight days. Why are such grievances raised that around 20-30 villages...