The deaths of four members of the Dokadia family in south Mumbai were caused by the presence of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic substance commonly used in rat poison, according to findings submitted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Investigators detected traces of the poisonous chemical both in the viscera samples of the deceased family members and in the watermelon they had consumed shortly before falling critically ill.
The forensic findings have significantly altered the direction of the Mumbai Police investigation. What was initially suspected to be a case of severe food poisoning is now being treated as a poisoning case, with investigators focusing on determining how the toxic chemical entered the food consumed by the family.
The FSL report has already been handed over to the Mumbai Police, which continues to investigate the deaths that occurred on April 26. The victims were identified as Abdul Dokadia, 44, his wife Nasreen Dokadia, 35, and their two daughters, Ayesha, 16, and Zaineb, 13.
The Dokadia family lived in the Ghari Mohalla locality in the Pydhonie area of south Mumbai. According to police officials, the family had hosted relatives and guests at their residence late on the night of April 25 for a family gathering.
Investigators said the family and their guests shared dinner together, which reportedly included chicken biryani and other food items. After the guests left the residence, the Dokadia family allegedly ate watermelon at around 1 am before going to sleep.
Within a few hours, all four family members reportedly developed severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and symptoms resembling acute food poisoning. Their health rapidly deteriorated, causing panic among relatives and neighbours.
Police officials stated that a doctor was initially called to the family’s residence, where medication was prescribed after a preliminary examination. However, as the condition of the victims worsened further, the family members were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
One of the daughters was declared dead before admission at a private medical facility, while the remaining three victims later died during treatment at Mumbai’s government-run JJ Hospital.
Following the tragedy, police registered an accidental death report and initiated an extensive investigation to determine the exact cause behind the sudden deaths. Officials collected samples of all food items consumed by the family, including chicken biryani, watermelon, water, and other materials from the residence for forensic examination.
In addition to food samples, viscera samples from all four deceased family members were also sent for detailed chemical analysis by forensic experts.
During the investigation, police recorded statements from relatives who had attended the gathering on the night before the incident. According to officials, several guests informed investigators that they too had consumed the chicken biryani served during dinner but did not experience any illness or unusual symptoms afterward.
These statements reportedly shifted suspicion toward the watermelon consumed later by the family after the guests had departed from the house.
While initial observations had pointed toward ordinary food poisoning, the latest forensic report confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide, fundamentally changing the nature of the investigation. Zinc phosphide is a dangerous toxic chemical widely used in rodent poison and can prove fatal even in small quantities if ingested by humans.
Investigators, however, stated that it remains unclear whether the chemical entered the food accidentally or was deliberately introduced. Police officials said that, so far, they have not found any strong evidence suggesting that the family intentionally consumed the poison or took any extreme step willingly.
Authorities have continued recording statements from relatives, neighbours, and other individuals connected to the case in an effort to understand the family’s recent activities, food handling, and possible circumstances that may have led to the contamination.
Officials also clarified that the deaths were not caused by watermelon itself, but specifically by the zinc phosphide detected in the fruit. The central focus of the ongoing investigation is now to establish how the toxic substance came to be present in the watermelon consumed by the Dokadia family on the night of the incident.
The Mumbai Police investigation remains underway as forensic experts and investigators continue examining all possible angles, including accidental contamination, negligence, or deliberate poisoning.
