Apparently, the management had also initially tried to find a way out. “On June 3, our staff members had personally collected the tiffins at the gates and distributed them to students, but it takes time,” she said.

Shashikant Dighe, superintendent, St Helena’s School, said, “It is not only about the dabbawalas. We do not allow any outsider to enter the school premises from 8 am to 2 pm. Even parents are allowed to visit schools only on Tuesday and Thursday.”

The parents were also caught unawares. “We were informed that children need to be independent and need to carry their own tiffins. There are no security concerns that have been conveyed to us. We are abiding by the rules, though it is quite inconvenient,” said A N Lad, a parent.

Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said he had held a meeting with school principals a month ago and requested them to take precautionary measures during the admission season as they had received complaints from some schools last year.