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'Watermelon deaths' in Mumbai puzzle investigators
4 hours agoGeeta Pandey, Dipali Jagtap and Alpesh KarkareDelhi & MumbaiBBCThe tragic death of the Dokadia family has made headlines in IndiaNearly three weeks after an Indian family of four were found dead in their home, investigators tell the BBC they are no closer to knowing what actually happened.The Dokadia family - Abdullah, his wife Nasreen and their two daughters Ayesha and Zainab - were found dead at their home on 25 April in Mumbai's Pydhonie area.When the news broke, Indian media quickly dubbed the case "watermelon deaths", after the last thing the family had eaten before their deaths. The deaths received incessant media coverage in India, with lots of headlines advising caution while eating what is one of India's most popular summer fruits.Reports claimed the fruit was either adulterated or had been poisoned and that the couple and their teenaged daughters died because they consumed it late at night. This even led to a crash in watermelon prices in Mumbai's fruit markets after demand plummeted.There was also a lot of speculation over whether the deaths were accidental or intentional.Last week, police in Mumbai said forensic tests had shown it was zinc phosphide - an extremely toxic chemical commonly used to kill rats - that killed the Dokadias. They said it was found in their organs and the remnants of the fruit.But despite the revelation, the case is far from being solved and there are many unanswered questions.On Wednesday, sources in the Mumbai police told the BBC that there is still no clarity on the motive or how the poison entered the watermelon."We are still collecting evidence and looking at all angles for motives," a senior police officer said. "We have not ruled out homicide, accidental death or suicide."Getty ImagesWatermelon is one of India's most popular summer fruitsThe Dokadias lived on the first floor of an old building in south Mumbai's Pydhonie area. In their first comments after the deaths, police said that night the family had hosted some relatives for dinner where they had eaten biriyani - a rice dish cooked with meat and fragrant spices. The guests left at 22:30 and a few hours later the Dokadias ate watermelon. Soon after, they became ill."They all began suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. They were taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to JJ Hospital. However, all four individuals unfortunately died," Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe told the media.On hearing about their distress, neighbours, incl...
Mumbai Watermelon Death Case: Mystery Deepens As Rat Poison ... - News18
Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 14:21 ISTPolice are now investigating whether the deaths were the result of a mass suicide or whether the poison was mixed into the watermelon through some other means.Rapid ReadRapid ReadSummarized by AI.+Rat poison found at Dokadia family's Mumbai homeFSL confirms zinc phosphide caused four deaths after watermelonPolice probe if deaths were suicide or deliberate poisoningIs There A Cure? There is currently no specific antidote for zinc phosphide poisoning. Treatment mainly focuses on emergency supportive care and preventing further damage to the organs. Doctors typically attempt to stabilise breathing and heart function, remove remaining poison from the stomach if detected early, provide oxygen support, treat shock and dehydration, monitor heart rhythm and organ function and manage seizures and complications. Patients often require intensive care monitoring. Medical experts stress that immediate hospital treatment significantly improves survival chances. Delays in treatment can prove fatal because phosphine gas acts rapidly inside the body.After confirming the presence of rat poison in the victims’ bodies, investigators have now recovered rat poison from the home of the Dokadia family in Mumbai’s Pydhonie, marking a major development in the mysterious deaths of four family members.Police seized two packets of rat poison and a rat poison spray from the family’s residence in Mughal Building, while forensic tests also detected traces of the poison in the watermelon consumed by the victims.Recommended StoriesMumbai Watermelon Death Case: Rat Poison Found In Family’s Bodies, Mass Suicide Angle Being ProbedMumbai 'Watermelon' Deaths: She Updated Her Diary At Night. By Morning, An Entire Family Was GoneAfter Dokadia Deaths, Marathi Actor's Watermelon Video Goes Viral — What He Found Inside Will Alarm You'Green' Organs, Morphine Traces: Not Watermelon, Poison May Have Killed Mumbai FamilyOfficials said one packet of rat poison was found sealed, while the spray appeared to have been used. Sources said the Mughal Building, where the Dokadia family lived, had a severe rat infestation.Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) findings have reportedly confirmed that all four family members died due to rat poison consumption. Traces of zinc phosphide were detected in the bodies of the deceased as well as in watermelon samples collected during the investigation.The case dates back to April 26, when four members of the Dokadia family died within hours...
Mumbai family deaths linked to rat poison in watermelon - MSN
Mumbai family deaths linked to rat poison in watermelon Forensic breakthrough: Tests confirmed zinc phosphide in the victims' bodies and the watermelon, refocusing the investigation on ...
Mumbai Pydhonie Death Mystery Deepens, Rat Poison Found In Watermelon ...
Mumbai Pydhonie Death Mystery Deepens, Rat Poison Found In Watermelon Consumed By Family Mumbai Police are probing a disturbing twist in the Pydhonie family death case after forensic reports ...
