The death toll in the food poisoning incident at a temple in Chamarajnagar district has gone up to 14, with traces of substances dangerous to human beings found in the 'prasad' (offering) served to the affected, Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said Monday.
Samples of prasad were collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory and traces of monocrotophos and organophosphate that are dangerous to human beings have been found in the food, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said.
Parameshwara, who holds the Home portfolio, told the assembly session in Belagavi that seven people had been taken into custody in connection with the incident, adding that some had left the village and search was on for them.
"Who did it, the motive behind will come out, and the investigation is on..I believe in one or two days, truth will come out," he said.
Noting that prasad served at temples are considered very sacred in Hindu belief, Parameshwara said the incident at the Kichchugutti Maramma temple in Sulvadi village during the groundbreaking ceremony for the temple tower on Friday was "painful."
About 150 people were said to have been served with vegetable rice prepared nearby and within half-an-hour people who consumed it started falling ill.
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"Immediately those ill were rushed to hospitals nearby..11 people died while 125 of them are undergoing treatment. Two died later in hospital and one more last night. Now total death toll stands at 14," he added.
Intervening, Opposition BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa said it looks like a "planned conspiracy."
He asked the government to take strict action and be "merciless" against those involved so that such incidents did not recur.
Hanur MLA Narendra said two children were among those who died. Those still in hospital included 15 children.
He requested the government to go to the bottom of the case and take strict action.
According to health officials, Malli Bai, 35, who was in a critical state, died in a hospital last night.
The health department said in a statement that 45 of those admitted were in the intensive care unit, including 24 on the ventilator.
A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against seven people from the temple management under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code, according to police.
Police have said they are probing suspected foul play in the incident.
The villagers have urged the government to take over the temple management as there are reports that factional feud within the temple management led to the incident.
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