National

Rodent Droppings and Cockroaches Discovered in NALSAR Canteen

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2025

During an inspection of the canteen at NALSAR University, one of the leading law schools in India, a task force from the Telangana Commissioner of Food Safety uncovered alarming hygiene violations. The inspection revealed the presence of rat droppings and a cockroach infestation in the storage area, as well as insect-infested muskmelon seeds.

Additionally, many food items were found to lack packing dates, expiry dates, or batch numbers. The Commissioner of Food Safety reported that the task force investigated the food establishments within the NALSAR University Canteen located in Shamirpet, noting that the FSSAI license had been obtained at a registered address rather than at the actual food preparation premises. Furthermore, there was no trained supervisor certified under the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program, and essential records for pest control and water analysis were missing.

The findings included rat feces and cockroach infestation in the storeroom. Many kitchen and dining area windows and doors lacked insect-proof screens, the food preparation floor was found to be slippery, and temperature logs had not been maintained. Raw materials were stored directly on the floor, and muskmelon seeds used in gravies were contaminated with insects. Additionally, a 30kg batch of whole green gram was discovered without any packing date, expiry date, or batch number, while 90kg of raw rajma was unlabelled.

This report was shared on the Commissioner of Food Safety’s social media account, prompting concerns from worried parents who called for action. Some parents, wishing to remain anonymous, reported that their children had been frequently falling ill and losing weight rapidly. They mentioned that complaints about cockroaches in the food service were becoming increasingly common.

Concerns were also voiced on social media platforms like ‘X’, highlighting the urgent need for accountability. “It is high time that strict action is taken against the authorities. We, as parents, have been deeply unsettled by the repeated instances of food poisoning on the NALSAR campus,” commented CSC Sekhar.

Niyudh Gupta, a NALSAR student, echoed these sentiments, stating, “As a NALSAR student, this is just the tip of the iceberg concerning our food safety issues; encountering rats, roaches, and insects in our meals is a daily occurrence, and even spoiled milk and rotten eggs are being served.”

The student body has been pressing for daily inspections and effective measures to ensure food safety, yet there has been little response from the authorities involved.

National

11 Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in Birthday Cake

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Maharashtra : Eleven people were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

The incident took place during a birthday celebration. The affected group included seven children and four women.

According to reports, they complained of sudden stomach and chest pain shortly after eating the cake.

They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that all 11 patients are in stable condition.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in bakeries.

The case comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly seen inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in Thane’s Godrej Hill area in Kalyan.

In another incident, food safety officials suspended the FSSAI licence of a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West after finding several violations.

The recent incidents have increased calls for stricter checks on food storage, hygiene and safety standards across the state.

National

Dead Russell’s Viper Found on Vande Bharat Express

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Ernakulam: A dead Russell’s viper was found on a passenger seat inside a Vande Bharat Express in Ernakulam, causing panic among passengers.

The incident took place on Friday, August 14, at around 2.30 pm. The train was scheduled to leave Ernakulam Junction for Bengaluru.

The incident came to light before the train began its journey. Vinu Varghese, who works for an insurance company in Ernakulam, had booked a ticket to travel to Coimbatore with his two-year-old child.

When he returned to his seat after visiting the restroom, he noticed the dead snake lying on the seat. He was shocked and immediately informed the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and railway staff.

The railway staff quickly responded to the situation. With the help of passengers, they removed the dead snake from the coach.

After the snake was removed, the passengers felt relieved. Vinu Varghese later filed an official complaint through the railway portal.

In his complaint, he questioned the safety and cleanliness standards on the train. He said passengers pay a significant amount for travelling on Vande Bharat trains and expected better safety measures.

Varghese said the railway staff later apologised for the incident.

The incident has also raised questions about how a snake entered the passenger compartment. Vande Bharat trains are air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automatic doors that open only at designated stations.

The incident has raised concerns about pest control and safety protocols on the train. Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter.

This is not the first reported incident involving a snake on a Vande Bharat train. In December 2025, a passenger was allegedly accused of deliberately placing a snake inside the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.