Karnataka Prasad poisoning case: Pesticide suspected in 'prasad' that took 11 lives in Karnataka; 2 arrested

In a shocking incident, at least 11 people died and over 90 were hospitalised after consuming 'prasad' religious food or offering at a temple in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district on Friday. Among the dead are two children. In the connection with the case, 2 people have been arrested, the manhunt for five more launched.

The police said the religious offering was distributed after the temple's foundation-laying ceremony. "Doctors think the toxin could be a pesticide," said an officer, adding that an investigation will confirm how the toxic substance entered the food.

As per reports, many crows were found dead reportedly after eating the prasad. Puttaranga Shetty, the minister in charge of Chamarajanagar visited those affected at the hospital. He said a dispute between two groups could be the reason for poisoning.

"Whoever may be the culprit, action will be taken against them. Police are investigating the case and have already arrested two people. There was some dispute between the two groups. I think something has happened," Mr Shetty told news agency ANI.

#UPDATE 5 people dead, 72 hospitalised after consuming prasad in Chamarajanagar district: Karnataka state government announces Rs 5 Lakh ex gratia to the next of the kin of the deceased. Medical treatment of others will be taken care of by the state government.

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018

The minister added 47 patients were to Care Hospital in Bengaluru, 17 are in JSS Hospital in Mysuru and others are admitted in different Mysuru hospitals. "Around 91 patients have been shifted from Chamarajnagar to Mysuru," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the families of the victims. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, Dinesh Gundu Rao has also announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the kin of the victims in Chamarajanagar temple tragedy.

Also read: Shocking! At least 11 people dead and 66 ill after eating contaminated prasad in Karnataka; see pics