2 min readMumbaiJun 27, 2026 05:29 PM IST
A 39-year-old man from Pune was arrested on Saturday for allegedly distributing capsules mixed with zinc phosphide—rat poison—during a Muharram procession in south Mumbai on Friday night.
The police identified the accused as Faiyaz Premji and said that he had 14,000 capsules with him. He allegedly told the police that he intended to harm those who had gathered for the religious event. Officers are now interrogating him to determine his motive.
Zinc phosphide, a rodenticide, is commonly used to kill rats and is also used as a single-dose poison in agricultural fields.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jayant Meena said the case came to light after employees of a hospital reported that a man had been admitted with vomiting and severe stomach cramps after consuming a “painkiller” tablet that was allegedly being handed out during the procession. Suspecting something amiss, the doctors alerted the police, who picked up Premji.
“He told us he wanted to target the procession and harm them. He had ordered 30,000 capsules online and 50 kg of zinc phosphide. He added 1 gram of zinc phosphide to each capsule,” DCP Meena said. He added that Premji claimed the capsules were painkillers while distributing them among participants.
According to the police, Premji is a BBA graduate whose father owns a paint company in Pune. His mother and sister are in Iran and he himself had visited Iran and Iraq in 2025.
DCP Meena added that by acting swiftly, the police had averted a major tragedy. An officer said they are checking how many people took the pills and if anyone else has complained of any health issues.
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