Meghalaya Class 7 Student Dies After Consuming Hostel Food in Karnataka, 29 Others Hospitalised

Meghalaya Student Dies, Eating Hostel Food: Out of the school's 202 students, 30 mostly from Meghalaya and some from Nepal.

In a tragic incident, a 13-year-old boy from Meghalaya lost his life, while 29 other students from an unauthorised hostel in Mandya district, Karnataka, were hospitalised in critical condition after consuming contaminated food.

The deceased, identified as Kerlang from Lyndem village under the Pynursla Civil Subdivision, was a Class VII student.

The students had reportedly consumed leftover food prepared for Holi celebrations, which led to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration.

The tragedy occurred at the Gokul Educational Institution’s residential school in T Kagepura village, which has been operating without a licence since 1989. The school was illegally housing students on the first floor of the building without proper hostel facilities, including toilets.

Out of the school’s 202 students, 30 mostly from Meghalaya and some from Nepal were staying in the unauthorised hostel.

According to reports, the hostel followed a questionable practice of providing students with leftover food collected from nearby celebrations, events, or weddings. On Friday, a feast organised in Malavalli for Holi celebrations served vegetable pulao and chutney. The leftover food was later distributed to the hostel students.

By the following day, all 30 students fell ill and were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, on Sunday Kerlang collapsed and was taken to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, where he was declared dead. Seven other students remain in critical condition, with one in ventilation.

The Mandya police launched an investigation and registered a case under Section 286 (Negligent conduct concerning a poisonous substance) and Section 106 (Causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident (Meghalaya Student Dies Eating Hostel Food):

• The cook who prepared the contaminated food
• The hostel warden for distributing the food without ensuring its safety
• The school owner for negligence and operating an illegal hostel

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his grief over the incident (Meghalaya Student Dies Eating Hostel Food) and assured the family of the deceased student that they would receive appropriate compensation.

“It is heartbreaking to hear about the death of a 13-year-old student and the hospitalisation of several others after consuming food at the private residential school in T Kagepura. The government will ensure the affected families receive the necessary support,” Siddaramaiah wrote on X.

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar confirmed that the health department was informed on March 15, following which officials visited the school. “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 (MIMS) for specialised care,” he said.

Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang confirmed that the Superintendent of Police, Mandya, was closely monitoring the situation. “All necessary help and assistance are being provided by the district police and administration,” he stated.

The body of the deceased student has been handed over to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is being brought back to Meghalaya. While preliminary information suggested that the students were taken to Karnataka by the RSS, official confirmation is still pending.

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