India’s human rights body said on Thursday it was investigating reports more than 100 children fell sick after eating a school lunch served after a dead snake was found in the food.
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“Reportedly, the cook served the food to the children after removing a dead snake from it,” the National Human Rights Commission said in a statement.
The meal was served last week in a government-run school in the city of Mokama in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, it said.
The commission demanded local government officials and police investigate media reports that “more than 100 children fell ill” after eating the school lunch.
The incident sparked angry protests from the children’s families.
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Free lunches are offered to millions of children in government schools throughout India, seen by authorities as a way to encourage children to continue their education.