Man arrested for distributing suspicious tablets during Muharram procession

Man Arrested for Distributing Suspicious Tablets During Muharram Procession

Incident in Byculla Sparks Health Concerns

Man arrested for distributing suspicious tablets - A 39-year-old individual was apprehended by the Byculla police for distributing tablets containing Zinc Phosphide, a potent rodenticide, during the Muharram procession in the area on Friday. Participants who consumed the pills, which the accused claimed were pain relievers, reported symptoms like dizziness and nausea, with some losing consciousness, according to authorities.

"The unease among those who ingested the tablets intensified as the night wore on. By 4-5am on Saturday, we received reports of people fainting and swiftly acted by visiting the guest house where Premji was staying," said a police officer familiar with the case, who requested anonymity.

Procession Route and Distribution Details

The Muharram parade began at Noor Baug, Dongri, and proceeded through Hancock Bridge toward Rehmat Baug Kabrastan. Salman Sayyad, a 26-year-old Govandi resident working in a bag manufacturing unit, was part of the event. During a break from the ritual of self-flagellation, a woman in a burqa approached him with capsules, asserting they were painkillers, he informed the police.

Throughout the procession, participants typically receive free items such as food, drinks, and medicinal capsules. However, this particular distribution included a dangerous twist, as the capsules were laced with Zinc Phosphide.

Investigation Unfolds

After several attendees reported discomfort, police officers accompanying the event detained Fayyaz Premji, a 39-year-old Pune resident, who was allegedly responsible for passing out the tablets. Premji, who works alongside his father in a paint manufacturing unit, was questioned by teams from the Intelligence Bureau, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and Mumbai police crime branch following his arrest.

When ingested or inhaled, Zinc Phosphide interacts with stomach acids to produce phosphine gas, which enters the bloodstream and leads to cellular anoxia, multi-organ failure, and potentially fatal shock. At the guest house in Dongri where Premji was staying, authorities recovered approximately 30,000 tablets, of which 14,900 were found to contain the toxic substance.

Accused's Background and Motive

Police sources indicated that Premji had ordered around 50 kg of Zinc Phosphide online, along with 30,000 empty capsules. Each capsule was filled with 1 gram of the poison, and he remained at the guest house for over 15 days before distributing the tablets during the procession. The motive behind his actions remains unclear, with Premji providing vague explanations during initial interrogations.

Notably, Premji had previously worked in Iraq and Iran, where his sister is a medical professional. The case is being analyzed under sections 109, 110, and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which cover attempt to murder, culpable homicide, and poisoning-related offenses.