What is the story about?
Watermelon death case: There is a new twist in the deaths of four members of a Mumbai family. On Thursday (May 7), the Mumbai Police said forensic analysis of the victims’ viscera and watermelon samples detected traces of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rat poison.
Officials confirmed the presence of rat poison in the victims' bodies as well as the fruit they had consumed, ruling out earlier suspicions of simple food poisoning. Police are further examining whether the incident was a case of mass suicide or if the poison was introduced into the watermelon through other methods.
On April 26, a family of four from the Pydhonie area of Mumbai was wiped out after eating watermelon. The family members included Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen Dokadia (35), and their two daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (13).
They first had a biryani feast along with their relatives on April 25, around 10:30 pm. After returning to their respective home in Pydhonie, South Mumbai, they ate watermelon, and soon after, they developed vomiting and loose motion. Then a tragedy played out over 12 hours.
We take a closer look.
According to the report submitted by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), zinc phosphide, a commonly used rodenticide, has been detected in all four deceased family members. The toxic chemical compound was also detected in the watermelon samples.
A senior Mumbai Police officer told ThePrint, "In connection with the JJ Marg accidental death of four members of a family, the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) has given us the report, wherein zinc phosphide has been found in the viscera."
"The watermelon sample is also positive for zinc phosphide," he confirmed.
The Mumbai police further stated that zinc phosphide was detected in the liver, kidney, spleen, stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples collected from all four deceased, as well as in the fruit samples.
Except for watermelon, all other food items are negative for zinc phosphide, according to officials.
Several of the victims’ organs, including the brain, heart and intestines, had turned green, police sources said, citing the post-mortem findings.
"The report will be studied in depth. In consultation with forensic doctors, further investigation will be continued," DCP Dr Pravin Mundhe said, according to Times of India (TOI).
FSL official told the publication: "There was no indication of external contamination on the fruit. The poison was on the inside. It is unlikely to have entered the fruit through an injection."
"The family had vomited out a large portion of the toxin, which is why it required 54 rounds of testing to identify the trace amounts remaining," the official added.
Authorities' probe is now centred on two things: Identifying how the chemical reached the watermelon. Whether it was injected into the fruit or if the watermelon was contaminated with zinc phosphide in the field where it had grown.
The police officials noted while speaking to ThePrint: "It is still unclear whether the poison was consumed accidentally or intentionally."
When asked about the possible case of suicide, police asserted that they have been unable to identify any specific reason why the family would take such a step.
Authorities have conducted the interrogation of all family members, including those who had dinner alongside the deceased family.
Zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) is a chemical commonly used in rat poison across India. In its powdered form, it remains relatively stable; however, the real danger starts once it enters the human stomach.
The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, which helps digest food. When zinc phosphide comes into contact with this acid, it triggers a chemical reaction that releases phosphine gas,
India Today reported.
This phosphine gas is colourless and odourless, and extraordinarily toxic even in very small amounts.
The presence of food in the stomach can intensify the reaction. Consuming things like watermelon triggers additional acid production, leading to the release of even larger amounts of phosphine gas.
On an empty stomach, symptoms may take several hours—sometimes up to 12—to appear. However, after a meal, the effects can begin within minutes.
The FSL official told TOI that when phosphine gas enters the lungs, it causes a rapid drop in the body's oxygen levels.
The official added, "This is why the youngest child passed away first. Her body could not sustain the poison. The reaction time depends on an individual's body mass and health. Death in zinc phosphide cases is almost certain once the gas is released within the body."
Most rat killers sold in India today are anticoagulants, containing chemicals such as bromadiolone that stop blood from clotting and gradually kill rodents over days or weeks. These poisons can be treated with an antidote -Vitamin K1.
But Zinc phosphide has no known antidote. It can prove fatal within hours, leaving little time for the doctor to intervene and save the patient. It has remained a major challenge for toxicologists for decades.
With inputs from agencies
Officials confirmed the presence of rat poison in the victims' bodies as well as the fruit they had consumed, ruling out earlier suspicions of simple food poisoning. Police are further examining whether the incident was a case of mass suicide or if the poison was introduced into the watermelon through other methods.
On April 26, a family of four from the Pydhonie area of Mumbai was wiped out after eating watermelon. The family members included Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen Dokadia (35), and their two daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (13).
They first had a biryani feast along with their relatives on April 25, around 10:30 pm. After returning to their respective home in Pydhonie, South Mumbai, they ate watermelon, and soon after, they developed vomiting and loose motion. Then a tragedy played out over 12 hours.
We take a closer look.
No food poisoning: What the FSL report reveals
According to the report submitted by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), zinc phosphide, a commonly used rodenticide, has been detected in all four deceased family members. The toxic chemical compound was also detected in the watermelon samples.
A senior Mumbai Police officer told ThePrint, "In connection with the JJ Marg accidental death of four members of a family, the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) has given us the report, wherein zinc phosphide has been found in the viscera."
"The watermelon sample is also positive for zinc phosphide," he confirmed.
The Mumbai police further stated that zinc phosphide was detected in the liver, kidney, spleen, stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples collected from all four deceased, as well as in the fruit samples.
Except for watermelon, all other food items are negative for zinc phosphide, according to officials.
Several of the victims’ organs, including the brain, heart and intestines, had turned green, police sources said, citing the post-mortem findings.
"The report will be studied in depth. In consultation with forensic doctors, further investigation will be continued," DCP Dr Pravin Mundhe said, according to Times of India (TOI).
FSL official told the publication: "There was no indication of external contamination on the fruit. The poison was on the inside. It is unlikely to have entered the fruit through an injection."
"The family had vomited out a large portion of the toxin, which is why it required 54 rounds of testing to identify the trace amounts remaining," the official added.
Authorities' probe is now centred on two things: Identifying how the chemical reached the watermelon. Whether it was injected into the fruit or if the watermelon was contaminated with zinc phosphide in the field where it had grown.
The police officials noted while speaking to ThePrint: "It is still unclear whether the poison was consumed accidentally or intentionally."
When asked about the possible case of suicide, police asserted that they have been unable to identify any specific reason why the family would take such a step.
Authorities have conducted the interrogation of all family members, including those who had dinner alongside the deceased family.
What is zinc phosphide?
Zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) is a chemical commonly used in rat poison across India. In its powdered form, it remains relatively stable; however, the real danger starts once it enters the human stomach.
The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, which helps digest food. When zinc phosphide comes into contact with this acid, it triggers a chemical reaction that releases phosphine gas,
This phosphine gas is colourless and odourless, and extraordinarily toxic even in very small amounts.
The presence of food in the stomach can intensify the reaction. Consuming things like watermelon triggers additional acid production, leading to the release of even larger amounts of phosphine gas.
On an empty stomach, symptoms may take several hours—sometimes up to 12—to appear. However, after a meal, the effects can begin within minutes.
The FSL official told TOI that when phosphine gas enters the lungs, it causes a rapid drop in the body's oxygen levels.
The official added, "This is why the youngest child passed away first. Her body could not sustain the poison. The reaction time depends on an individual's body mass and health. Death in zinc phosphide cases is almost certain once the gas is released within the body."
How zinc phosphide different from other rat poisons
Most rat killers sold in India today are anticoagulants, containing chemicals such as bromadiolone that stop blood from clotting and gradually kill rodents over days or weeks. These poisons can be treated with an antidote -Vitamin K1.
But Zinc phosphide has no known antidote. It can prove fatal within hours, leaving little time for the doctor to intervene and save the patient. It has remained a major challenge for toxicologists for decades.
With inputs from agencies
