Chhattisgarh High Court Seeks Food Safety Protocols After Phenyl Found In School Meal Served to 426 Students

The Chhattisgarh High Court took suo motu cognisance of a shocking incident at Pakela Residential Potacabin School, where phenyl was allegedly mixed by a teacher in vegetables cooked for 426 students. 

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru termed the act a “criminal act” that endangered lives and said it could have shattered public trust in residential schools.

The Court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit and mandated statewide food safety measures, including kitchen hygiene, CCTV surveillance, routine tasting, staff accountability, and medical preparedness.

The matter is listed for September 17, 2025.

[Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. The Chief Secretary]