‘Will take legal action after Post mortem report’: Health minister after 5-yr-old dies after ‘paneer meal’

A five-year-old girl named Arya Kalsariya passed away after consuming a suspected food poisoning meal on August 15. The incident occurred when her father Ashok Kalsariya, his wife, and two daughters ate dinner at Hotel Sheetal, along with other meals prepared at home. Ashok, a diamond unit worker from Ranujadham society, purchased food from the hotel, which included a paneer dish and cashew nuts.

After dinner, several family members experienced stomach pain and vomiting. By Sunday afternoon, Arya, along with her parents and two sisters, were admitted to a private hospital in Varachha area. Doctors at SMIMER Hospital took samples for further testing, but the cause of death remained undetermined. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Praful Pansheriya stated that they will await the post-mortem report and take legal action if signs of poisoning are found.

Pansheriya, who represents Kamrej constituency, directed the Surat district and municipal health officers to investigate the incident and ensure the family receives proper medical care. The Surat Municipal Corporation Health Department seized food samples from Hotel Sheetal for laboratory testing, leading to the hotel's temporary closure.

Babubhai Kalsariya, Arya's elder brother, mentioned that the family is financially stable and that Ashok and his family are currently in stable condition.