Fifty students at Morarji Desai Residential School in Dandoti, Karnataka, suffered acute food poisoning after dinner, prompting an immediate administrative probe. Early findings point to undercooked rice and kitchen negligence, leading to the suspension of the principal and the hostel warden.
Key Takeaways
- 50 students fell ill after dinner at Dandoti school
- Principal and hostel warden suspended pending inquiry
- Preliminary probe indicates undercooked rice and kitchen lapses
On Thursday evening around 7:30 p.m., approximately 50 pupils at the Morarji Desai Residential School in Dandoti village, Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, began exhibiting symptoms of severe indigestion, vomiting and abdominal pain. The episode unfolded shortly after the students consumed their scheduled dinner, sparking panic among parents and a swift response from district authorities.
Rapid Administrative Response
Within minutes of receiving the alert, a high‑level team comprising the Deputy Commissioner Iqram Shariff, the Zilla Panchayat CEO, the Superintendent of Police, the Inspector‑General of Police and the District Health Officer rushed to the school at around 1 a.m. on Friday. Accompanied by the Sedam Assistant Commissioner, the Chittapur Tahsildar and the District Minority Welfare Officer, they coordinated emergency medical care at nearby government hospitals. Out of the 50 examined students, 39 required admission; all have since been discharged after full recovery.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
Early investigation suggests a serious lapse in quality control within the school kitchen. Home Minister Priyank Kharge, who represents Chittapur in the state assembly, disclosed that the rice served for dinner was undercooked, a factor that likely triggered the widespread indigestion. He emphasized that a comprehensive enquiry report will be submitted and that any individuals found negligent will face stringent disciplinary action.
Government’s Safety Measures
The State has ordered immediate, rigorous inspections of food services across all government hostels, prioritising compliance with safety standards. The Department of Minority Welfare, taking responsibility for the administrative failure, has suspended both the principal and the hostel warden. It has also moved to terminate the contract of the outsourced kitchen staff, directing the recruitment of trained, reliable personnel.
Reassuring Parents and the Public
District officials have appealed to parents and the wider community to disregard unverified rumors, assuring that student welfare remains the top priority. They pledged continuous monitoring, regular food‑safety audits and a transparent reporting mechanism to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
