The Chhattisgarh High Court in bench comparising has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking incident from Sukma district where phenyl, a poisonous chemical used for cleaning, was allegedly mixed into the food prepared for over 400 students of a government-run residential school. The court noted that had the contamination not been detected in time, it could have resulted in a massive tragedy.
Incident That Raised Alarm
According to a news report published on 26 August 2025, the case involves Pakela Residential Potacabin School in Sukma. On the night of 21 August, vegetables cooked for 426 students were found laced with phenyl. A teacher noticed the strong smell while tasting the food, which prevented a possible disaster. The school superintendent later confirmed that nearly 48 kilograms of beans had been cooked for dinner.
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Students informed the inquiry team that they saw a person with his face covered mixing something in the food. Shockingly, suspicion has also fallen on one of the teachers posted there.
The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru. Expressing deep concern,
"Had the contaminated food been consumed by the students, it is beyond imagination what devastation it would have caused to their parents and families, who repose faith in the residential school system.", the Judges remarked,
The High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh to file an affidavit on steps being taken to ensure safety of food served in schools, hostels and Anganwadi centres. The Judges underlined that negligence in such matters amounts not only to carelessness but also to a criminal act.
The bench issued a detailed set of directions to strengthen food safety mechanisms. These include: mandatory tasting and certification before serving food, maintaining a tasting register, separate storage of chemicals away from kitchens, regular inspections, installation of CCTV cameras, medical preparedness with first-aid kits and tie-ups with local health centres, as well as accountability of principals and wardens.
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Further, the court asked for surprise checks, community monitoring committees, and immediate registration of FIRs in case of deliberate contamination.
The Judges made it clear that,
"any lapse will be viewed very seriously and the authorities must be vigilant and careful while preparing and serving food to children."
Case Title: Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. The Chief Secretary & Others
Case Number: WPPIL No. 75 of 2023
