Nearly three dozen schoolchildren from a Delhi government school in Jahangirpuri took ill after eating rice and pulses served as part of the free midday meal at the institution.

Some 34 girls — students of classes 6 and 7 — of the A-Block Girls School were rushed to the nearby Babu Jagjiwan Ram Hospital after they complained of stomach ache.

A preliminary inquiry has been ordered by the school authorities into the matter.
A doctor with the hospital said: “The school authorities informed us over the phone that 30 or so students have been complaining of stomach ache soon after consuming their midday meal. It seemed like a case of food poisoning.

“The girls were brought to hospital and immediately admitted. They are under treatment,” he added. Some 25 students have been discharged after preliminary treatment, while nine have been kept under observation for the night, he added.

The police said a call was received at the PCR about the matter and an FIR was registered in this regard.

A senior police officer said a case has been registered under Sections 284 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance) and 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified persons.

“We have initiated a probe into the matter,” he added.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has sent the samples of the meal for testing.
“The midday meal was given to over 400 students at the institution. But only these girl students were diagnosed with food poisoning. So, we have sent the samples of the food served to laboratories for testing,” said a DoE official.

Earlier this month, nine girls of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Seelampur had fallen ill after consuming their midday meal, and were admitted to Jag Parvesh Chandra Hospital.

DoE official: The midday meal was given to over 400 students. But only these girl students were diagnosed with food poisoning. So, we have sent the samples of the food served to laboratories for testing