Mumbai Police have successfully averted a mass casualty incident following the timely detention of a man distributing poisonous capsules during a Muharram procession in the Byculla area.
The suspect, identified as Fayyaz Premji, was apprehended near the Rehmatabad Cemetery at Reay Road during an Ashura procession. Premji, a BBA graduate, was found distributing highly toxic zinc phosphide capsules,a chemical commonly used in rat poison under the guise of painkillers and immunity boosters. Police seized nearly 14,900 lethal pills from the suspect, who later confessed to an intention to harm thousands of attendees.
The crisis was averted due to the vigilance of three women volunteers who noticed the suspicious activity, intercepted the suspect, and immediately alerted law enforcement while using loudspeakers to warn the crowd. Eleven individuals who ingested the pills experienced severe symptoms, including vomiting and stomach pain, but were rushed to a local hospital and are now out of danger.
Premji has been remanded to police custody, and a case has been registered under Section 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A thorough investigation is underway to determine potential broader links or conspiracies.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
