IIT Roorkee Launches Investigation Following Viral Video of Rats in Hostel Kitchen

A video allegedly showing rats in cooking utensils at IIT Roorkee’s hostel mess has sparked outrage among students. The footage reveals rodents inside a frying pan and a pressure cooker filled with rice, which raised concerns about food contamination.

Reports indicate that students discovered the rats when they went to the mess for lunch on October 17. Shocked by the sight of rodents in the kitchen, some students expressed fears over the possibility of eating tainted food. The video led to protests outside the mess, with many demanding immediate action.

However, IIT Roorkee has denied the allegations, stating that the video misrepresents the situation. According to a statement from the institute, the rats were found in a restricted area of the mess that contained only empty utensils and non-edible items, ensuring no food was contaminated, as reported by Hindustan Times.

After a preliminary investigation, IIT Roorkee clarified that the video was recorded late at night by students who entered the restricted area. The statement claims the footage portrays the situation inaccurately: “No food items were found to be contaminated. The videos appear to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the situation.”

According to India Today, IIT Roorkee’s media representative Sonika Shrivastava said, “Immediate investigation has been started, and corrective action is being taken to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. The health and safety of the students remain the top priority. External special experts have been engaged to assess the situation and prevent such incidents in future.”

Ms. Shrivastava also mentioned that IIT Roorkee routinely monitors vendor operations to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and performs regular inspections to maintain the highest service standards for students.