Malavalli food poisoning case: Death toll goes up to two

Tragic food poisoning incident in India claims lives of two students, sparking investigation and arrests by authorities.

The death toll in the food poisoning case in Malavalli taluk has gone up to two with the death of another 13-year-old student from Meghalaya on Monday night.

The 13-year-old Nyamo Banti was undergoing treatment for food poisoning at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) hospital but was shifted to a private hospital in Mysuru on Monday after his condition became critical.

Another student, Khongtani, 13, also from Meghalaya, died on Sunday.

The two deceased were among 41 students of a private educational institution in T. Kagepura in Malavalli, who had taken ill after consuming food that had been prepared for a Holi feast on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Mandya Kumar said that as many as 22 students out of the 41 students of the hostel were from Meghalaya, and he confirmed the death of the second student from Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government had deputed two officials to visit the State and submit a detailed report on the death of its students from food poisoning. The officials, who were in Mandya on Tuesday, visited the MIMS, where the students were undergoing treatment.

The students of the hostel had consumed the contaminated food served to them on Friday after it was prepared for a Holi feast in the village for the members of a Rajasthani business community.