Mumbai: A disturbing video circulating on social media has led to the arrest of two fruit vendors in Mumbai's Malad West area, after they were allegedly
caught on camera applying a rat poison product to fruits kept at their roadside stall. The video, which spread rapidly online, showed one of the vendors handling bananas while apparently smearing a cream-like substance on them. The clip triggered widespread alarm among residents and prompted a complaint to the local police. Acting on the complaint, officers from Malad police station visited the stall and recovered a product called Ratol, a commercially available rat poison that contains highly toxic chemicals including yellow phosphorus. The stall has since been sealed. A social media user shared the video and wrote on X, " Irresponsibility of a non-local fruit seller in Malad reaches its peak! By applying cream like Ratol on fruits, directly playing with the lives of Mumbaikars. Using poisonous substances like Ratol can cause vomiting, stomach pain, poisoning, liver damage, and risk to life. Action must be taken against this seller." WATCH VIDEO HERE
मालाडमध्ये परप्रांतीय फळ विक्रेताचा बेजबाबदारपणा शिखरावर! फळांवर Ratol सारखी क्रीम लावून थेट मुंबईकरांच्या जीवाशी खेळ. Ratol सारखे विषारी पदार्थ वापरल्याने उलटी, पोटदुखी, विषबाधा, लिव्हर नुकसान आणि जीवाला धोका निर्माण होऊ शकतो. या विक्रेत्यावर कार्यवाही झालीच पाहिजे.#MNS #mybmc pic.twitter.com/RFtulkwO4h
— शेख जब्बार (राजसाहेबांचा जब्बार) | SHAIKH JABBAR (@jabbarsmns) February 24, 2026
The two accused, identified as Manoj Sangamlal Kesarwani (42) and Rahul Sadanlal Kesarwani (25), both residents of Rajanpada in Malad West, were arrested and produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali on Wednesday, as per NDTV report.
During questioning, the vendors told police they were using the substance to keep rats away from their fruit stock at night, not to harm customers. However, health experts have warned that applying such a toxic compound to edible items is extremely dangerous and can cause vomiting, severe abdominal pain, organ damage and even death if consumed.
Residents in the area have now demanded more frequent inspections by food safety authorities, including the FDA and the BMC, to prevent such incidents from happening again.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigation is ongoing.
