How Mumbai Police Foiled Bid To Distribute Rat Poison-Filled Capsules During Muharram Procession
Mumbai Police arrested a man for allegedly attempting to distribute 14,900 capsules filled with zinc phosphide during a Muharram procession in Byculla. Officers intercepted the suspect after growing suspicious of his actions. Police are investigating the motive and whether others were involved. One person reportedly fell ill after allegedly consuming a capsule.
Mumbai Police have arrested a man for allegedly attempting to distribute capsules filled with zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rat poison, during a Muharram procession in the Byculla area. Officers intercepted the suspect after a patrol team noticed him handing out capsules to participants, leading to the seizure of thousands of capsules before they could allegedly be distributed.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone-I) Jayant Meena, the incident occurred on Friday night during a Muharram procession under the jurisdiction of Byculla Police Station. The suspect was detained after officers grew suspicious of his activities. Mumbai: Days After Local Train Murder, Man Stabbed Outside Mahim Station After Argument Over Broken Phone.
Police Seize Nearly 15,000 Capsules
“Last night, during the Muharram procession under the jurisdiction of Byculla Police, a Mumbai Police patrol team found a man distributing capsules to people participating in the procession. Becoming suspicious, the police seized all the capsules in his possession," DCP Jayant Meena said.
Police said they recovered 14,900 capsules allegedly filled with zinc phosphide from the accused before they could allegedly be distributed among participants. Aksa Beach Tragedy: 17-Year-Old College Student Feared Drowned in Mumbai; Search Operation Underway (Watch Video).
One Person Reportedly Falls Ill
A few hours after the seizure, Byculla Police received a Medico-Legal Case (MLC) report involving a man identified as Salman Syed. According to police, Syed complained of stomach pain and vomiting after allegedly consuming one of the capsules. Officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the ongoing investigation.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly told investigators that his intention was to target the Muharram procession. “For this purpose, he had allegedly procured 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide, a poisonous substance, and had also ordered 30,000 empty capsules," DCP Meena said. Police are investigating the motive behind the alleged act and are trying to determine whether others were involved. Further investigation is underway.
Why Zinc Phosphide Is Considered Highly Dangerous
Zinc phosphide is a highly toxic chemical commonly used as a rodenticide in agriculture and pest control. It can be extremely dangerous to humans and animals if ingested.
When zinc phosphide comes into contact with stomach acid, it releases phosphine gas, a highly poisonous gas that is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. The gas can damage cells throughout the body and, in severe cases, lead to multiple organ failure. Authorities have not disclosed whether additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2026 11:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
