HYDERABAD: Nearly 500 students of Sumathi Reddy Junior College, Boduppal, fell ill on Wednesday night reportedly after consuming stale food served by the college authorities for lunch. A case has been registered against the college management on the basis of a complaint lodged by the students.
On Wednesday afternoon, nearly 1,000 students were served lunch at the hostel. However, by night the students started vomiting and showing symptoms of food poisoning, Medipally police said. As many as 478 students were shifted to local private hospitals. "The condition of 50 to 60 students is serious and they are undergoing treatment," Medipally inspector Ravi Kiran Reddy said.
According to him, a case was registered against the college management under sections 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and section 47 of the Food Adultration Act.
Meanwhile, panic-stricken parents, who came to know about the incident through the media, rushed to the hospitals and blamed the college management for not responding to their calls. Several students unions also staged dharnas on the college premises. Incidentally, the students are also slated to sit for their annual exam in less than a week.
The police are now trying to determine which food item had caused the illness. "As of now, we do not know which food item was stale. It is being investigated," police said.
Only FDA can draw samples and initiate proceedings, Police intervention will confuse the matter.
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