How did rat poison get into watermelon? There was a stir due to the deaths of 4 people in Mumbai.

A big revelation has come to light in the case of mysterious death of four members of the same family in Bhindi Bazaar area of ​​Mumbai. After 11 days of investigation and 54 tests, the Kalina-based forensic lab has confirmed that rat poison present in watermelon took the lives of four people of the Dokadia family. The investigation report has confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide in watermelons and internal organs of the deceased.

According to forensic officials, the poison was present inside the fruit and no signs of contamination were found on the external surface. The case has given a new direction to the police investigation. Now efforts are being made to find out how this poisonous substance reached inside the watermelon.

Big revelation made in forensic investigation

Senior officials of the state forensic lab said zinc phosphide, which is commonly used as rat poison, was found in the watermelon and viscera samples of the deceased. These included liver, kidney, spleen, stomach bile and other fluids present within the stomach.

There was no sign of external contamination on the fruit, a forensic officer said. The poison was inside the fruit. It is not likely to enter the fruit through injection. Officials said that now the main point of investigation will be how this poisonous substance reached inside the fruit.

Police is investigating from all angles

JJ Marg police has confirmed that they have received the forensic report. DCP Dr. Praveen Mundhe said, the report will be studied in depth. Further investigation will be continued after consulting forensic doctors. Police are now investigating whether the watermelon became poisonous at the seller’s level or whether some other person has a role in it. At present, no decision has been taken on whether the case will be classified as murder, accident or suicide. Police also clarified that rat poison was not recovered from the house of Dokadia family.

How was the poison detected?

According to forensic officials, this case took more time to solve than normal cases. Usually toxic elements are detected in 10 to 20 tests, but in this case 54 tests had to be done. The family had expelled a large portion of the poison through vomiting, which is why 54 rounds of testing were required to identify the remaining traces, an official said.

How did the condition worsen?

Forensic officials said that zinc phosphide enters the body and forms phosphine gas. When this gas reaches the lungs, the oxygen level in the body drops rapidly. The officer said, this is why the youngest girl died first. His body could not bear the poison. The reaction time depends on the person’s body weight and health. In cases of zinc phosphide, death is almost certain once the gas is released into the body.

Health deteriorated after eating watermelon

The deceased have been identified as Abdullah Dokadia (44), his wife Nasreen (35), and daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (12). The family lived on the second floor of Mughal Building located in Pydhoni area of ​​Bhindi Bazaar. It was told that only these four members of the family had eaten watermelon at around 1:30 pm on Sunday, April 26. Earlier on Saturday night, the family had eaten chicken pulao with five other relatives. In forensic investigation, the report of pulao and other food items came negative.

A few hours after eating the watermelon, all four complained of vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness. They were taken to the hospital, where one by one they all died. Zainab died first at around 10 in the morning, while Abdullah died at around 10 in the night.

What did the doctors say?

Former FSL Director Dr. Rukmani Krishnamurthy said that zinc phosphide is extremely poisonous and its lethal dose is very low. He said, it is also easily available. It may either have been swallowed intentionally or someone may have put it inside. He also said that if the family had been taken to the hospital in time, their lives could probably have been saved.

Police termed the speculations about financial crisis wrong

After the case, many discussions came to light regarding the financial condition of the family, but the police called them baseless. The police have also investigated the medical history of the family. An officer of JJ Marg police station said, we have found Ayurvedic and Unani medicines, their investigation is still going on. He also said that in the investigation so far, the family appears to be happy.