Mumbai police are investigating whether the deaths of four members of the Dokadia family were caused by deliberate poisoning or a possible suicide
May 8, 2026: Mumbai police are probing the mysterious deaths of four members of the Dokadia family as a possible case of homicide or suicide after forensic tests detected traces of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rodenticide. The victims — Abdullah Dokadia, his wife Nasreen, and their daughters Ayesha and Zainab — fell seriously ill after eating watermelon at their home in the Pydhonie area and died within hours on the night of April 25 and 26.
According to a report submitted by the state-run Forensic Science Laboratory, traces of zinc phosphide were found in the liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach contents and other samples collected from all four deceased family members. Investigators also found the toxic substance in watermelon samples taken from the family’s home. Police said the watermelon was consumed only by the four victims, while other relatives who attended dinner and ate the remaining food items reported no illness. Tests conducted earlier by the Food and Drug Administration reportedly found no adulteration in the other food items collected from the house.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mumde said investigators are examining whether the poisoning was intentional or accidental. Police have also checked the mobile phones of the deceased for signs of suicidal intent but reportedly found nothing suspicious. No rat poison packaging was recovered from the residence, prompting investigators to also consider the possibility of homicide. Residents in the building told police that the area had long struggled with rodent infestation due to unhygienic conditions and open sewage nearby.