Judges find rotting vegetables, undistributed books and stationery at Morarji school in Chikkodi

BIDAR: Despite over 120 students falling ill due to food poisoning at the Morarji Residential School at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk on September 12, the authorities do not seem to have woken up.

On Tuesday, Chikkodi senior sessions judges Harish Ranganagouda and Sandeep Patil paid a surprise visit to the hostel only to find rotting vegetables in the refrigerator and undistributed books and other stationery items.

The judges also found several irregularities including fungus growing on vegetables, poor sanitation and took the hostel staff to task. They have also directed an investigation into the state of affairs and to take action against the officials responsible.

One hundred and twenty seven students had been hospitalised last month, some in critical condition after students consumed contaminated food, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Following the incident, the school principal and hostel warden had been suspended. The district administration had also launched an investigation and water and food samples had been sent for testing.