The Pune Rural police initiated an investigation following an alarming incident where 60 students experienced food poisoning at a residential coaching facility situated in Khed taluka during the early hours of Saturday, according to a report by the Indian Express.
Dakshana Foundation, Pune
The affected establishment, Dakshana Foundation, caters to underprivileged students undergoing preparation for the highly competitive IIT-Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Positioned in Kadus village within Khed taluka, approximately 55 kilometers away from Pune City, the foundation serves as a pivotal educational hub for aspirants.
Students suffer food poisoning – Details and investigation
According to Inspector Rajkumar Kendre, the head of Khed police station, Dakshana Foundation accommodates roughly 600 students, comprising 400 boys and 200 girls, aged between 18 to 20 years. On the preceding Friday night, the students were served dinner, which unfortunately resulted in numerous cases of food poisoning manifesting in symptoms such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and body ache among the students during the early hours of Saturday. Consequently, 60 students, both male and female, required hospitalization for medical treatment. As of Sunday morning, eight students remain hospitalized, albeit in stable condition, while the others have been discharged.
Inspector Kendre affirmed the commencement of an official investigation into the matter. Statements from students and officials of the facility have been documented. Samples of the consumed food have been dispatched for thorough examination by food inspectors, with the anticipation of receiving conclusive reports. Subsequent actions will be contingent upon the findings outlined in the investigative reports, thereby dictating the course of further proceedings in the case.