The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur directed the State to pay Rs. 25,000 to each student of Government Middle School, Lachchhanpur who had consumed contaminated mid-day meal, within a period of one month. The Court was hearing a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation wherein it was reported that on 28.07.2025, a dog soiled the food of the mid-day meal being prepared by the Self Help Group in the Government Middle School Lachchhanpur.
In compliance with the Court’s order dated 04.08.2025, a two-member enquiry committee consisting of the Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) and Block Education Officer, Palari was constituted by the Collector, District Balodabazar-Bhatapara to enquire into the matter. The enquiry committee submitted its report on 06.08.2025 and had visited the school on 02.08.2025 wherein it recorded the statements of villagers, parents, Panchayat representatives, members of Shala Vikas Samiti, teachers and students.
The enquiry report revealed that according to the statement of students, the dog soiled the food of the Mid Day Meal being prepared by the Self Help Group, and despite the teachers informed the Self Help Group members not to distribute soiled eatable to the students, the contaminated food was distributed to the children. Even after complaints were made to the Headmaster of the School, the soiled eatable was not removed from the meal and was consumed by the children. Subsequently, the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Balodabazar-Bhatapara submitted a report stating that three doses of Anti Rabies Vaccine had been administered to 84 children of the School, and all students were found fit after regular health checkup.
The Court noted that disciplinary action was taken against the Incharge Principal Santosh Kumar Sahu and Cluster Principal who were suspended. The Incharge Headmaster, Teachers and Cluster Coordinator were also suspended, while the Joint Director, Education, Raipur imposed a minor penalty of one increment without cumulative effect on three teachers. The Self Help Group Jai Laxmi Swa Sahayata Samuh was removed from the work of Mid Day Meal and barred from any further governmental benefits.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru observed that considering it was an institution of the Government and Self Help Group was assigned to provide mid-day meal, but the said mid-day meal was soiled by the dog and was unfit for consumption, and though three doses of anti-rabies had been administered to 84 children, it was negligent on the part of the State to take care of the food being offered to the children. The Court also directed the State to be more vigilant and careful in providing mid-day meals to children studying in Government Schools. Additionally, it was noted that no reply had been received from the Central Government on the State’s letter dated 17/02/2025 regarding revision of food prices in Anganwadi Centres, and one week’s time was granted to the Union of India to inform the Court. The Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development was directed to be arrayed as a respondent, and the Joint Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Chhattisgarh, was directed to file a personal affidavit regarding Anganwadi Centres in dilapidated rented buildings.
Appearances:
Mr. Siddharth Dubey, Mr. Ishan Verma, Mr. Amiyakant Tiwari, Court Commissioners
Mr. Y.S. Thakur, Additional Advocate General for the State
Mr. Tushar Dhar Diwan, CGC for the Railways
