2 min readRanchiUpdated: Jun 29, 2026 02:46 AM IST
More than 100 girls studying at the Residential Girls’ School in Kharaundhi block of Jharkhand’s Garhwa district fell ill after allegedly drinking water from the overhead storage tank, leading to the suspension of the warden, a teacher and a cook.
The incident occurred on Friday at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), which has 300 girls. According to the district administration, around 100 students were affected and rushed to hospital. The DC said six girls remained under observation on Saturday and were in stable condition, while the others had been discharged.
Kharaundhi Block Pramukh Abha Rani, who visited the school and hospital, alleged that students had repeatedly complained about poor food and inadequate water facilities. “As a result, many girls were forced to drink hot water stored in the overhead plastic tank during the day’s intense heat,” she said.
Soon, students began complaining of stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness and weakness.
A district-level inquiry found prima facie negligence on the part of the school management. “We have directed that the warden, a full-time teacher and a cook be relieved from their duties,” Garhwa Deputy Commissioner Pashupati Nath Mishra told The Indian Express.
Kharaundhi Block Pramukh Abha Rani further alleged that the school premises and kitchen were unhygienic, and meals were not being served according to the prescribed menu. She also claimed that due to the Muharram festival, there was no power supply throughout the day and students could not get water to drink. “The hostel had an RO system, it was installed in the warden’s room and students were allegedly not allowed to use it,” she said.
The DC also issued a show-cause notice to the Block Education Officer (BEO) and ordered the officer’s salary withheld until further orders, asking how routine inspections had failed to detect deficiencies at the residential school. The official added: “We have sent both food and water samples for testing”.
