Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 24th April 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a 12-year-old student and over 100 falling ill after consuming stale food at the hostel of Kakabandh Ashram School of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha

Issues notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha and the Superintendent of Police, Mayurbhanj, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

It is expected to include the status of the investigation as well as the health of the victims

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 12-year-old boy died and more than 100 others fell ill after consuming stale food at the hostel of the Kakabandh Ashram School in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha on 14th April 2026. Reportedly, the victim was a 5th standard student of the school run by the ST and SC Welfare Department of the State Government.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha and the Superintendent of Police, Mayurbhanj, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the investigation as well as the health of the victim students.

According to the media report, carried on 15th April 2026, the condition of about 67 students was serious and they were shifted to the Baripada Medical College and Hospital. 41 others were admitted to a Community Health Centre.

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