FIR Filed Against Thane School As 45 Children Hospitalised After Having Mid-Day Meal

An FIR was filed against a Thane school after 45 students fell ill from suspected food poisoning after consuming a mid-day meal.

Thane: An FIR has been filed against the management of a private school after 45 students fell ill due to suspected food poisoning following the consumption of a mid-day meal at a school near Thane, Maharashtra, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. 

Initially, 38 students, aged between 8 and 11, were admitted to a civic hospital in Kalwa after experiencing symptoms like giddiness, nausea, headaches, and abdominal pain after lunch on Tuesday. Later that night, seven more children were hospitalized, bringing the total number to 45.

Following a complaint from a parent, Kalwa police registered an FIR against the school management and the food supplier under section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (endangerment of personal safety or life through rashness or negligence) and FDA regulations. No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing.

Dr. Aniruddha Malgaonkar, the hospital's medical in-charge, said the children were being closely monitored. Thirty-seven were in stable condition and expected to be discharged after 24 hours of observation at 5 pm, according to a Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) official. However, eight children, showing symptoms of fever and vomiting, would remain under observation for an additional 12 hours.

TMC Additional Commissioner Sandeep Malvi confirmed the children had consumed a mid-day meal at the private school. A medical official stated that the students were served rice and moth bean (matki) curry. FDA officials have collected food samples for testing.

Initially, five students reported feeling unwell, but the number grew throughout the day. The school administration quickly called ambulances, and the students were transported to the hospital, with their parents by their side.

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