Bihar: Report blames school principal,source of oil is key

Principal Meena Devi remains on the run,and a criminal case has been registered against her. Villagers said she would get oil,spices,pulses and vegetables for midday meals mostly from Masrakh town,8 km away.

The principal spent between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 every month for the midday meals for the 150 children in the school. The actual buying of the provisions,the villagers said,would be done by the principals husband,Arjun Yadav,who reportedly chose the shop that gave him the cheapest rates.

Though the shop from which the alleged killer oil was purchased could not be identified,parents of the victims do not believe the oil itself was to be blamed. The entire village purchases loose oil from Masrakh and Dharmasati markets. There have been no complaints of contamination, Ravi Rai,a villager,said.

Police Friday seized a container with oil-like liquid at the bottom from the principals home. DGP Abhayanand said,We have sent the container for forensic examination. No wrapper or box of any pesticide has so far been found.