The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has issued a formal notice to the Odisha Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, and to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Mayurbhanj, demanding an Action Taken Report on the death of a tribal minor student and the mass illness of hundreds of students at an ashram school due to suspected food poisoning. The incident, which unfolded on April 12 at Kakabandha Ashram School in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, has triggered a multi-agency response including scrutiny from both the NCST and the National Human Rights Commission.

What Happened at Kakabandha Ashram School

On April 12, hundreds of students at Kakabandha Ashram School in Mayurbhanj district fell ill after consuming the school-prepared meal, which reportedly included pakhala, aloo masala, mango chutney, and leafy vegetables. The sudden mass illness sent shockwaves through the district's tribal welfare administration.

Rupali Besra, a Class V student, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, where she succumbed to her illness on April 14. Her death has intensified scrutiny over food safety standards in Odisha's tribal residential schools.

NCST Invokes Constitutional Powers to Investigate

Acting on a petition filed by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Priyabrata Majhi and others on April 15, the NCST invoked its powers under Article 338A of the Constitution of India to investigate the matter. The commission has directed that facts, information, and action taken on the allegations be submitted within seven days of receipt of the notice — via post, in person, or through any other means of communication.

Authorities have been warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe may result in a summons for personal appearance before the commission. This underlines the gravity with which the NCST is treating the case.

Odisha Government's Initial Response

Following the tragedy, the Government of Odisha announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh for the family of the deceased student Rupali Besra. The school's headmaster has been suspended, and a Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC)-level inquiry has been initiated to probe the circumstances of the food poisoning.

Notably, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a separate report from the state authorities. The dual scrutiny from both the NCST and NHRC signals that accountability at the state level is under serious pressure.

Broader Concerns Over Tribal Ashram School Safety

This incident is not an isolated case. Food safety and hygiene standards in tribal residential and ashram schools across India have repeatedly come under question, with several states facing similar controversies in recent years. Critics argue that chronically underfunded welfare schools serving Scheduled Tribe children remain vulnerable to administrative neglect, inadequate food quality checks, and poor infrastructure.

The opposition BJD has alleged that concerned officials and departments were slow to respond and has demanded urgent corrective action. This comes amid broader national debates on the welfare of tribal communities and the effectiveness of government-run residential schools in delivering safe, dignified education.

What Happens Next

All designated authorities — including the Commissioner of the ST and SC Development Department and district-level officials — are now required to submit detailed reports to the NCST within the stipulated timeframe. The RDC inquiry is ongoing, and further action, including potential legal consequences for negligent officials, cannot be ruled out.

With both the NCST and NHRC now closely monitoring the case, the Odisha government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate systemic reforms in the management of tribal welfare institutions — not just reactive measures after a tragedy.