Pinarayi Vijayan orders IG-level inquiry into food poisoning incidents at GV Raja Sports School

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In order to resolve the mystery around recurrent food poisoning incidents at GV Raja Sports School, Mylam, the state government has ordered for a police investigation into the issue.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed DGP Loknath Behera to initiative an IG-level inquiry into the issue.
Earlier, food safety commissioner M G Rajamanickam recommended sports department to ask for a police investigation into the food poisoning cases, but the decision was pending.Sports minister A C Moideen forwarded the file to CM, who directed DGP to constitute a team for inquiry, said government sources.
There were allegations that recurrent food poisoning incidents were taking place with the support of higher officials in GV Raja Sports School and the sports department.
Following the controversy, the higher education department transferred the then principal of the school C S Pradeep to sports division, Kannur. The DPI had transferred headmaster Jain Raj and the kitchen staff.
On June 18, around 40 students of the school sought treatment for stomach upset and vomiting at Government hospital, Peroorkada.
Food safety department was informed about the incident only two days later and so it was unable to collect samples. However, food safety department noticed foul play as food poisoning incidents have happened around four times since 2013.
One of the major allegations is that there was foul play in giving contract to run the mess. The sports department is spending around Rs 18 lakh per month for the mess.
A section of parents and students have come in support of the principal, who was facing allegations. They too demanded a police investigation to solve the mystery.
DGP was unavailable for comments despite repeated attempts.