One student dies, 28 hospitalised in suspected food poisoning case in Mandya
Mandya, Mar 16 (PTI): In a suspected case of food poisoning, a 13-year-old boy died, and 28 other inmates of an unauthorised hostel run by a private school here were admitted to the hospital on Sunday after complaining of stomach pain following the consumption of food prepared for Holi celebrations, police said.
The deceased, identified as Kerlong, hailed from Meghalaya, they added.
The incident occurred at Gokula Vidya Samsthe in T Kagepura village in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district, police said.
Citing a preliminary investigation, Mallikarjun Baladandi, Superintendent of Police , told PTI that the school, which has been operating since 1989, did not have a license to run a hostel.
The management was illegally operating the hostel on the first floor of the school building without proper infrastructure, including toilets for children.
A total of 202 students study at the school from LKG to Class 8, with about 30 students—most of them from Meghalaya—staying at the hostel. The school reportedly follows an arrangement where hostel students receive leftover food from nearby events, celebrations, or weddings, he said.
On March 14, a group from Malavalli organised a feast as part of Holi celebrations, serving vegetable pulao and chutney for breakfast. The leftover food was later distributed to 30 students at the school hostel, police said.
Of these 30 students, 24 are from Meghalaya, while the remaining are locals, he added.
On March 14, none of the students reported uneasiness, pain, or illness. However, the next day, six students complained of stomach pain and were admitted to the hospital, he said.
On Sunday, a 13-year-old boy collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead. Among the 28 hospitalised students, seven are in critical condition, and one is on a ventilator, he stated.
"We have registered a case under Section 286 and Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and have arrested three people in connection with the incident," he added.
Those arrested include the cook who prepared the food, the hostel warden for distributing leftover food without checking its quality, and the school owner for negligence, he said.
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar told reporters that the health department was informed on March 15, and officials visited the school. In total, 30 children consumed the food and suffered food poisoning.
"Unfortunately, a 13-year-old student has died, which is deeply saddening. We have informed his parents. The remaining 29 students are receiving treatment, with eight already shifted to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences . Orders have been issued to transfer the other students as well, as MIMS has expert doctors," he said.
"Our top priority is treating the affected students and ensuring their recovery. An investigation will be conducted into the school’s facilities, permissions, and food suppliers, and appropriate legal action will be taken," he added.
"Prima facie, the school’s negligence is evident—how did they allow an external party to supply food without permission? They had no authorisation to run a hostel," he stated.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to 'X' and expressed his grief over the incident, stating that it was heartbreaking to learn about the student’s death and the hospitalisation of several others after consuming food at the private residential school in T Kagepura.
"As soon as the incident came to my attention, I spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya and instructed him to ensure proper treatment for the children and take strict action against those responsible. The police have arrested three accused, and the investigation is ongoing," he said.
Siddaramaiah also assured that the family of the deceased boy would receive appropriate compensation.
"Everyone must be extra cautious before consuming food from external sources, especially when serving young children. Precious lives should not be lost due to carelessness," he added.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
