The Chhattisgarh High Court has ordered the state government to pay ₹25,000 each to 84 students of a government middle school in Lachhanpur village, Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, as compensation after they were served mid-day meals contaminated by a dog. The incident occurred on July 28, 2025, and the court took suo motu cognizance of the matter following a media report on August 3, 2025. The order was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru on August 17, with the compensation to be paid within one month.
According to reports, a stray dog entered the school kitchen and consumed part of the vegetable curry prepared for the mid-day meal. Despite being aware of the contamination, the cook and the in-charge headmaster allegedly served the same food to the students. After parents complained, all 84 children were administered three doses of anti-rabies injections, allegedly without parental consent or informing the Education Department.
The High Court strongly criticized the negligence exhibited in the distribution of the meals. It emphasized that providing food to students is not a mere formality but must be done with dignity. The court noted that the state failed to ensure safe and hygienic food for the schoolchildren. It was also pointed out that despite administering anti-rabies injections, the matter was suppressed. The bench stated, "The government and the self-help group assigned to provide mid-day meals were negligent. The food was unfit for consumption, and despite administering anti-rabies injections, the matter was suppressed. We deem it proper that Rs 25,000 be paid by the State to each student who consumed the meal".
In response to the incident, the responsible self-help group, Jai Laxmi Swa Sahayata Samuh, was removed from the meal program and barred from any further governmental benefits. Several school officials were also suspended, including the in-charge headmaster, Netram Giri, and teacher Vedprakash Patel. Additionally, the annual salary increments of three other teachers were withheld due to dereliction of duty, and the cluster coordinator was found guilty of negligence for failing to report the incident to higher authorities. The Directorate of School Education has emphasized the importance of maintaining hygiene and food safety standards to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The court observed that although the children were given anti-rabies treatment and were reportedly healthy afterward, negligence was still apparent in the incident. The state government had argued that no compensation was necessary since the children were found fit after a health checkup. However, the court deemed it appropriate to order compensation, considering the food was contaminated and unfit for consumption. The High Court hopes the state will be more vigilant and careful in providing mid-day meals to children studying in government schools.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on September 17, 2025. This ruling is considered a strong judicial intervention in the state's mid-day meal program, underscoring the rights of children and the government's obligation to ensure safe nutrition in schools.
