Mumbai Police have claimed to have thwarted an alleged plan to target a Muharram procession after recovering 14,900 capsules reportedly containing poison from a suspect.
According to investigators, the accused intended to distribute the poison-filled capsules among participants during the Muharram procession, potentially causing a large-scale tragedy. Police detained the suspect before the capsules could allegedly be circulated and seized the entire stock from his possession.
The accused, identified as Faiyaz Premji, is a resident of Pune’s Viman Nagar locality, where he operates a paint business. Police said he had been staying at a guest house and dormitory in Mumbai’s Dongri area. The procession he allegedly intended to target was scheduled to pass through the JJ and Byculla areas of the city.
Investigators found that Premji had allegedly obtained 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide, a substance commonly used as rat poison, and spent several days filling capsules with the toxic material at his premises. According to police, each capsule contained roughly one gram of zinc phosphide.
Mumbai Police alleged that Premji was in the process of distributing the capsules among people participating in the Muharram procession when he attracted suspicion. At around 4 a.m., officers received information that an individual had complained of vomiting and stomach discomfort. Acting on the tip-off, police detained the suspect. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed that his objective was to target the Muharram gathering.
A case has been registered against him under Sections 109, 110 and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to administering poison and attempted murder.
Police said the accused had planned to manufacture approximately 30,000 capsules but was intercepted before the operation could be completed. Authorities recovered 14,900 capsules and believe their intervention prevented a potentially serious incident.
As part of the investigation, police discovered that Premji had travelled to Iran and Iraq multiple times between 2019 and 2025. Investigators stated that he had visited the two countries 19 times in the past year alone. Authorities are now examining the purpose of those trips and whether they have any connection to the case.
Police also revealed that Premji’s sister works as a physiotherapist in Iran and that his mother is currently residing there. They added that he is divorced and does not live with his former wife. According to investigators, Premji belongs to the Shia Khoja Muslim community.
Authorities are currently analysing his mobile phone, digital communications, financial records and personal contacts to determine whether he acted independently or was influenced by any individual or group. Investigators are also exploring the possibility of links to a wider network.
Police said the inquiry remains ongoing and that all possible angles are being examined. Based on the evidence gathered so far, officials believe that their timely action may have prevented a major incident.
