The mystery behind the deaths of four members of a family in Mumbai’s Pydhonie area has finally been solved. As reported by news wire agency PTI, officials on Thursday confirmed that the family died due to poisoning caused by zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rat poison, and not because of eating watermelon, as was initially suspected.
According to officials, forensic experts who examined the viscera samples of Abdulla Dokadia, his wife Nasrin, and their daughters Aayesha and Zaineb found clear traces of zinc phosphide. The chemical is commonly used as a rodenticide to kill rats and mice and is known to be extremely dangerous even in small quantities.
The tragic incident had sparked widespread speculation after reports suggested that the family may have fallen ill after consuming watermelon late at night. However, investigators have now ruled out watermelon as the cause of death.
Police officials said it is still unclear whether the poison was consumed accidentally or intentionally. Investigators have not found any strong evidence so far indicating that the family had planned to take such an extreme step. The probe is currently being handled by the JJ Marg police station, which has recorded statements from relatives, neighbours and other people connected to the family.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road in south Mumbai, had hosted a family gathering on the night of April 25. Relatives who attended the get-together were reportedly served biryani during the feast. After the guests left, the family consumed pieces of watermelon at around 1 am.
A few hours later, around 5 am on April 26, all four family members began experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and intense discomfort. Their condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting relatives to rush them to a nearby hospital. They were later shifted to Mumbai’s government-run JJ Hospital for advanced treatment, where all four died during treatment.
The shocking deaths had raised fears of possible food poisoning and led to intense public attention. With forensic findings now confirming the presence of rat poison, investigators are focusing on how the toxic substance entered the food consumed by the family.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with toxic household chemicals and the need for proper storage and handling of poisonous substances such as rat poison.
According to officials, forensic experts who examined the viscera samples of Abdulla Dokadia, his wife Nasrin, and their daughters Aayesha and Zaineb found clear traces of zinc phosphide. The chemical is commonly used as a rodenticide to kill rats and mice and is known to be extremely dangerous even in small quantities.
The tragic incident had sparked widespread speculation after reports suggested that the family may have fallen ill after consuming watermelon late at night. However, investigators have now ruled out watermelon as the cause of death.
Police officials said it is still unclear whether the poison was consumed accidentally or intentionally. Investigators have not found any strong evidence so far indicating that the family had planned to take such an extreme step. The probe is currently being handled by the JJ Marg police station, which has recorded statements from relatives, neighbours and other people connected to the family.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road in south Mumbai, had hosted a family gathering on the night of April 25. Relatives who attended the get-together were reportedly served biryani during the feast. After the guests left, the family consumed pieces of watermelon at around 1 am.
A few hours later, around 5 am on April 26, all four family members began experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and intense discomfort. Their condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting relatives to rush them to a nearby hospital. They were later shifted to Mumbai’s government-run JJ Hospital for advanced treatment, where all four died during treatment.
The shocking deaths had raised fears of possible food poisoning and led to intense public attention. With forensic findings now confirming the presence of rat poison, investigators are focusing on how the toxic substance entered the food consumed by the family.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with toxic household chemicals and the need for proper storage and handling of poisonous substances such as rat poison.
