Complaint against Siri Fort caterer after many fall sick at function

New Delhi, September 6: National Fertilisers Limited, which had organised a Jagjit Singh ghazal nite last Friday at the Sri Fort auditorium on the eve of its foundation day, has lodged a complaint with Hauz Khas Police Station alleging that many people suffered food poisoning after eating food supplied by the caterers. The organisers have also written to the DCP South District to look into the matter.

The food to the auditorium, which does not allow outside food to be taken into the theatre, was supplied by Standard Catering Service. Police will soon question Siri Fort auditorium officials as well.

More than a dozen people who attended the function had to be hospitalised after complaining of severe food poisoning. Vimal Sharma, who was at the function, said: "... I and my wife consumed a sandwich after which we started feeling sick. Doctors say it was a severe case of food poisoning and we have been admitted ever since at Ganga Ram Hospital."

Yash Kumar and his wife had to be rushed to Kailash Hospital and even though they were discharged yesterday, they have not fully recovered.

"We had a sandwich... and the next morning both of us had a severe stomach ache and vomiting. Our condition became so bad that we had to be admitted to hospital," Kumar said. Most of those who had sandwiches and chowmein reported falling sick.

"An inquiry is on. We are looking at various aspects which could help us solve the case. We have started interrogation of the caterers and if need be, will also question the officials in the auditorium. After we are through with our inquiry, an FIR will be registered," an investigating police official said.

Friday's ghazal nite was attended by over 1,500 people including senior employees and officials from various government departments.

K B Verma, one of the organisers, said: "Even our employees have fallen sick. We got several complaints from various people who attended the function... (since) people consumed only such food as provided by the authorised caterer.. the question of people having food from outside does not arise..."

Ashwani Kumar, a manager with NFL, said: "I too had a sandwich. The next day... I was taken to hospital... Doctors say I will take some more days to get alright."