Chhattisgarh HC alarmed over phenyl found in meal for 426 students, orders CS to frame and implement stringent food safety protocols

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh high court on Tuesday took serious note of a shocking incident reported from Sukma district, where vegetables cooked for 426 students at Pakela Residential Potacabin School were allegedly found contaminated with phenyl. The court observed, "The magnitude of the incident is shocking. Had the contaminated food been consumed by the students, it is beyond imagination what devastation it would have caused to the lives of their parents and families, who repose their faith in the residential school system, believing that their children would be cared for like their own. Such an incident, if not promptly detected, could have shattered the confidence of society that students are safe in schools.

"The bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, while hearing a suo moto PIL, remarked that the magnitude of the incident was “shocking” and warned that even a single drop of phenyl is fatal for humans, particularly children. The court said that such recurring incidents of unhygienic or contaminated food being served to children were a matter of “grave concern” and amounted not just to negligence but also a criminal act that put lives at stake.

Although the Collector of Sukma has already ordered an inquiry, the court directed the State counsel to place the report before it on the next date of hearing.The Court issued comprehensive directions to the chief secretary of Chhattisgarh to immediately frame and circulate strict instructions to all stakeholders involved in food preparation and serving at schools, hostels, and Anganwadi centres.The chief secretary has been asked to ensure daily food tasting and certification by teachers with records maintained in a register, regular inspections of kitchens and strict separation of chemicals from food storage areas, appointment of nodal officers in districts to monitor food safety and accountability of heads of institutions, installation of CCTV cameras in kitchens and dining halls of residential schools and hostels, mandatory training of staff on food hygiene and emergency preparedness, immediate police reporting and FIR registration in cases of deliberate contamination, constitution of parent-teacher committees for food monitoring and a state-level helpline for complaints, first-aid kits and basic antidotes to be available in all hostels/schools, tie-up with nearest PHC/CHC for emergency medical assistance, a state-level helpline or complaint mechanism for reporting food quality/safety lapses, mandatory reporting of every incident, however minor, to the district education officer and collector, and quarterly/half yearly/yearly independent audit of mid-day meal/hostel food schemes by food safety officers.The court made it clear that any lapse on the part of responsible authorities would be taken very seriously and warned the administration to remain vigilant. It directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit by the next hearing on September 17, 2025, detailing the steps taken in compliance with its order.