Vanasthalipuram: One dead, nine hospitalized after consuming meat prepared for Bonalu festival

Hyderabad: A 46-year-old man died, and nine members of his family, including four children, were hospitalized after suffering from suspected food poisoning at Vanasthalipuram.

The incident reportedly occurred after the family consumed stale meat cooked for Bonalu celebrations on Tuesday.

Deceased was identified as a TGSRTC conductor

The victim was identified as Srinivas Yadav, a conductor with Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) and a resident of RTC Colony, Vanasthalipuram.

Health officials stated that he initially sought treatment at the RTC Hospital in Tarnaka. “Doctors advised shifting him to a more advanced facility, but he died while being taken there,” said Dr. Venkateshwarlu Rao, DMHO, Rangareddy.

The family ate meat cooked a day earlier

Preliminary investigation revealed that the family had eaten chicken and mutton on Monday, which was cooked a day earlier and stored overnight in the refrigerator.

“The exact cause of food poisoning is yet to be determined. Statements from family members will be recorded once they stabilise,” the DMHO added.

Children among the hospitalised

The nine other family members were admitted to Himalaya Hospital, Chinthalakunta, LB Nagar. They were identified as M Santosh (39), A Gouramma (65), M Radhika (38), A Jaswitha (15), A Lahari (17), M Kritagnya (7), A Rajitha (38), Purvika (12), and A Jeevan.

“Two of them, Gouramma and Jaswitha, are being treated in the ICU, while the remaining seven are stable and responding to treatment. All had diarrhoea and food poisoning symptoms when admitted,” a hospital doctor said.

Police register a suspicious death case

The Vanasthalipuram police registered a case under BNS Section 194 (suspicious death) and launched an investigation.

GHMC clarifies jurisdiction limits

Meanwhile, food safety officials of GHMC clarified that since the incident occurred in a residential household, they do not have jurisdiction to investigate. Their purview is limited to food poisoning complaints involving commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants, a senior official said on condition of anonymity.