Mid-day meal scare: Dead rat found in food, nine boys hospitalised

Nine students of a senior secondary government school for boys in south Delhi's Deoli area were rushed to a hospital after a dead rat was found in their mid-day meal on Thursday. The incident was brought to light by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a series of tweets on Thursday.

According to school authorities, a dead rat was found in the food. However, it was too late as some of the students had already consumed the food. "We immediately took the students to hospital after they complained of abdominal pain and nausea," said an official at the Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Deoli.

Sisodia, who went to meet the students admitted in Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital, also confirmed that the students were declared fit by the doctors.

"Nine children were admitted, five aged above 12 years and four below 12. They have no sign of diarrhoea or dehydration. They were complaining of abdominal pain which is being treated now. We will keep them under observation for tonight," said the medical superintendent at the hospital.

"The state government will soon file an FIR against the mid-day meal supplier and blacklist them," said Sisodia, adding that any carelessness will not be accepted. He also ensured that mid-day meals at the school will be cooked under the supervision of government employees.