Mumbai: The mysterious deaths of a four-member Mumbai family have taken a new turn after forensic reports confirmed zinc phosphide poisoning and police recovered a rat poison bottle from their home.
The Dokadia family’s sudden illness and death after eating watermelon on April 26 had initially been treated as accidental deaths, but laboratory findings linking a highly toxic substance to their viscera and food samples have widened the investigation. With conflicting clues now emerging about the source of the poison, investigators are re-examining whether the case involves accidental contamination, suicide, or foul play.
A forensic report confirmed that all four members of the Dokadia family died due to zinc phosphide poisoning, a highly toxic substance commonly found in rat poison. The report also detected traces of the toxin in the watermelon consumed by the family shortly before they fell ill, linking the fruit directly to the cause of death.
Police recovered a bottle of rat repellent from the family’s home during the investigation. However, officials noted that the bottle does not list zinc phosphide among its ingredients. This contradiction has added confusion, as investigators now need to determine whether the poison came from another source or if the substance was introduced separately.
The case remains open-ended, with police not ruling out any possibility. While earlier it was registered as accidental death, the forensic findings have now expanded the scope of investigation to include possible murder or a suicide pact. Officials say the focus is on reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the consumption of the watermelon.
Investigators are now trying to trace the source of the zinc phosphide. CCTV footage is being reviewed, and local pharmacies are being questioned to identify potential purchases of rat poison. Police are also examining whether the family was under financial stress, had disputes, or any other possible motive behind the deaths.
Who are the victims?
The deceased have been identified as Abdulla Dokadia, his wife Nasreen, and their two daughters, Ayesha and Zainab. Their sudden deaths had initially baffled authorities for days before the forensic breakthrough pointed to poisoning.
With conflicting clues and unanswered questions, the investigation has been reopened in full scope. Authorities are now working to determine whether the poisoning was intentional or accidental, and how the toxic substance entered the watermelon that led to the tragedy.
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