Human Faeces Found In School's Water Tank: Madras High Court Calls For Status Report By State
The Madras High Court has asked the state to explain the action taken in connection with an incident of human faeces being dumped inside a water storage tank used by Manoor Panchayat Union Primary School in Dindigul District
The bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice R Poornima has called for a status report from the authorities and adjourned the hearing by two weeks.
The issue relates to an incident that occurred in the Manoor Panchayat Union Primary School, situated near Palani in Dindigul District. On October 5, 2026, upon noticing that water was not flowing from the tap, the school staff members inspected the water storage tank and found human faeces inside the tank.
As per reports, initially an attempt was made to conceal the incident by immediately cleaning the tank, instead of promptly reporting it to the competent authorities and ensuring preservation of evidence. The incident came to light only after the parents of the students confronted the school staff.
An advocate, T Balakrishnan, has now approached the court seeking to constitute an independent team to investigate the occurrence and to take action against the persons involved in the crime. The petitioner has also sought directions to prevent recurrence of such occurrences in the future.
The petitioner argued that though the incident was discovered on October 5, the criminal case was registered only on October 8. He submitted that the delay in setting criminal law in motion, despite the gravity of the incident, indicates interference from influential persons. He also argued that the incident raises question about the safety of 150 students who are studying in the school.
He further submitted that the failure on the part of the school's Headmaster to promptly report the incident to the Chief Educational Officer and to register a case with the Inspector of Police in unacceptable. It was also submitted that the immediate cleaning of the eater tank without ensuring proper documentation and preservation of material evidence might have prejudiced the criminal investigation in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.
The petitioner further alleges that the conduct of the officials concerned, including any failure to discharge their statutory and administrative duties, therefore requires an independent and impartial inquiry, followed by appropriate action in accordance with law. He added that a strong message needs to be sent that any attempt to endanger the lives and health of schoolchildren through such inhuman acts will be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.