Mumbai man arrested with toxic pills at Muharram procession in Mumbai, says 'wanted to kill 15,000'
PTC News Desk: A major tragedy was narrowly prevented during a Muharram procession in Mumbai on Friday after police detained a man who was allegedly distributing capsules containing a poisonous substance to members of the public.
The accused, identified as Fayyaz Premji, was apprehended in the Byculla area after nearly a dozen people who had consumed the capsules fell ill. The victims were taken to a nearby hospital and are now reported to be out of danger.
Police later found that the capsules allegedly contained zinc phosphide, a highly toxic chemical commonly used in rat poison. According to sources, Premji allegedly admitted during questioning that he intended to poison a large number of people.
A court has remanded him to two days of police custody.
The incident occurred during the Ashura procession near Rehmatabad Cemetery. Investigators said the accused was distributing the capsules by claiming they were painkillers or immunity boosters.
Among those affected was Salman Sayed, who reportedly experienced stomach pain and vomiting after consuming one of the capsules. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayant Meena confirmed that zinc phosphide had been mixed into the capsules and that the accused lacked any authorization to distribute such substances.
Police seized approximately 14,900 capsules from the accused. Preliminary findings suggest that a significant number had already been handed out before he was stopped. Officers also discovered that he had allegedly ordered 30,000 empty capsules and 50 kilograms of phosphorus.
Authorities credited three alert women volunteers with preventing a potentially much larger tragedy. One of them noticed Premji distributing the capsules in a suspicious manner and, along with the others, intervened and informed the police. A public announcement was immediately made through loudspeakers, warning people not to consume the capsules.
When questioned by the volunteers, the accused allegedly claimed that the capsules were immunity boosters. However, the volunteers opened one of the capsules, found powder inside and became suspicious, prompting them to alert the authorities.
Police detained Premji at the scene and seized the capsules, which have been sent for forensic examination as the investigation continues.
- With inputs from agencies
