PATNA, May 21 -- The Patna High Court has directed the Saharsa Superintendent of Police (SP) to head the special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the case of alleged poisoning of mid-day meal that had left around 300 children sick and hospitalised on May 7.

The incident occurred at a government middle school in Baluaha village (Mahishi block) of Saharsa when children fell ill after consuming mid-day meal containing a suspected "small snake". Though the children recovered after treatment, the incident sparked widespread outrage.

The attention of the court was drawn towards the information received from an Advocate of the State of Telangana, who brought to the notice of the Chief Justice a report that several children in the school...