Girl dies, 3 fall ill after eating sweets, samosas brought by mother at Bihar madrasa

The girls were taken to a private hospital, where Alfisha, 10, died during treatment. Police and the administration have launched a probe, with food poisoning suspected but the exact cause yet to be established.The four girls were staying at the Jamia-tus-Salihat Educational Trust-run private madrasa in Supaul. (Photo: ITG)A 10-year-old girl died, and three others fell ill after allegedly eating samosas and sweets at a private madrasa in Bihar's Supaul district, triggering a police and administrative probe into the incident.The four girls were staying at the Jamia-tus-Salihat Educational Trust-run private madrasa in Supaul. They reportedly developed severe symptoms after consuming the food and were taken to a private hospital.The deceased has been identified as Alfisha, who died during treatment. Her family has reportedly declined to have her body autopsied.The other girls who fell ill have been identified as Afia, Sahana Khatun and Halima Sadiya. They were also taken to hospital after their condition deteriorated. MOTHER HAD BROUGHT FOOD FOR DAUGHTERAccording to the madrasa management, around 60-65 girls live and study at the institution, which has been operating for nearly two years.The management said Alfisha had been living at the madrasa for around two years. On Monday, her mother visited her at the institution and brought sweets and samosas for her. The management said that after eating the food, Alfisha began suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital along with the other girls who had fallen ill. She died during treatment, the management said.Police reached the madrasa after being informed about the incident and inspected the premises. The authorities also questioned madrasa operator Khalil Rahman, teachers and other people present there.ADMIN CHECKS MADRASA RECORDS, HOSTEL FACILITIESTaking note of the incident, Supaul District Magistrate Sawan Kumar directed the District Education Office to conduct an inquiry.A team from the education department visited the madrasa and examined documents related to the institution's operation, the facilities available there and the arrangements for girls staying on the premises.Officials are also examining whether the institution had the necessary permission to accommodate students on a residential basis and whether the applicable rules were being followed.Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manohar Kumar Sah said he reached the madrasa along with the SDPO and station house officer after receiving information about the incident.He said a large number of girls were staying at the madrasa and that one girl had died, while information was received that two or three others were undergoing treatment in hospital. The administration is monitoring their condition.FOOD POISONING SUSPECTED, EXACT CAUSE AWAITEDPolice said the preliminary investigation indicated that the incident could be related to food poisoning, but the exact cause would be established only after the investigation and medical assessment are completed.Supaul Superintendent of Police Sharath RS also visited the madrasa after receiving information about the girl's death and the hospitalisation of other students.The SP said police were in contact with doctors and were investigating all aspects of the incident. He said the actual cause of the girls falling ill would become clear after medical examination and investigation, and further action would be taken based on the facts that emerge.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 19:57 IST