Ahmedabad DEO Cracks Down On Anand Niketan Shilaj After Student Meal Controversy

The Ahmedabad Rural District Education Officer (DEO) has cracked down on Anand Niketan School in Shilaj, issuing strict show-cause notices to the school management, its principal, and the canteen contractor following a major hygiene lapse. The swift administrative action comes after a video went viral on social media showing live worms crawling inside food served to students at the school canteen.

The incident sparked intense anger among parents, prompting immediate health inspections and regulatory scrutiny into the elite educational institution's food services.

Viral Video Exposes Unsanitary Canteen Conditions

The controversy erupted when students discovered live worms embedded in a vegetable dish served during lunch at the school premises. A video shot by a student quickly circulated across local messaging groups and social media platforms, drawing widespread outrage from concerned parents and civic activists.

Facing severe backlash, the school administration initially attempted to downplay the incident, calling it an isolated oversight. However, parents gathered outside the campus demanding immediate accountability, proper food safety audits, and strict legal action against the contractor managing the facility.

DEO Steps In With Show-Cause Notices

Taking immediate cognizance of the viral footage and parent protests, Ahmedabad Rural DEO officials dispatched an inspection team to the Shilaj campus to review canteen hygiene, food storage conditions, and vendor contracts.

Following the preliminary assessment, the DEO issued formal show-cause notices to the school principal, the management committee, and the third-party canteen contractor. Authorities have demanded a detailed explanation regarding how sub-standard, contaminated food was allowed to be prepared and served to children.

Education department officials confirmed that failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe could lead to heavy financial penalties and further regulatory action against the school's operational permits.