Twelve students from the Morarji Desai Residential School in Hirekodi village of Chikkodi taluk, Belagavi district, were hospitalised following a case of suspected food poisoning. The incident took place on Sunday night when the students reportedly began experiencing severe vomiting and stomach pain shortly after dinner. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by the school authorities, where all are currently reported to be in stable condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest that contaminated food may have caused the illness, though officials are yet to confirm the exact source. Health department officials have collected food samples from the school mess for testing, while a medical team has been stationed at the institution to monitor other students for possible symptoms. Parents and local residents have expressed concern over the school’s food safety standards, demanding a detailed inquiry into the incident.

The incident comes just days after a local judge visited the same residential school and criticised the warden and staff for poor hygiene and mismanagement. Police have registered a case and begun further investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, education department officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those found negligent, emphasizing that student safety and hygiene will be given top priority.