Patna, Aug. 3: Sunday would be a special day for 14 of the 24 children of Chhapra’s Gandaman Primary School admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

Twenty days after 23 of their classmates died in the July 16 midday meal tragedy, Sunday’s lucky 14 would be the first batch of children who fell sick to return home.

On the contrary, for Meena Devi, the main accused in the tragedy, the dark prison walls are set to be home for now.

The court of the Saran chief judicial magistrate (CJM) today rejected the school’s now-suspended principal Meena Devi’s bail petition.

Devi pleaded before the court that she was in the classroom at the time of preparation of food on July 16 and had nothing to do with the tragedy. However, CJM Anil Kumar Jha denied her bail.

The Special Investigating Team (SIT), formed by the state government to investigate the case on July 26, nabbed her. She faced a polygraph test on August 1 and 2.

“The report would be submitted to the state director-general of police within a week. The court has rejected her bail petition and she has been sent to jail,” said a police officer in Chhapra.

On the release of the Dharmasati Gandaman village children, PMCH superintendent Amar Kant Jha Amar said they had been contemplating the children’s discharge for two days.

“We are taking extra precautions to ensure that all the children are absolutely fine. We held back their discharge for two days as we wanted to be sure. On Sunday, we are all set to discharge 14.

“They are all perfectly fine now but under observation. Cook Manju Devi would also be released,” said the superintendent.

“We have planned to give the children new clothes and a sari to Manju Devi, when they go back home.

All the children are under observation to check complications,” he said.

Saran district magistrate Abhijit Sinha said a team of doctors along with the Saran civil surgeon would leave for Patna on Sunday morning.

“They will consult PMCH doctors about the kind of treatment or possible medication for the children. The cases will be studied for help to doctors,” Sinha said.

He added that Manju Devi would be provided with security, if needed.