Accused Faiyaz, arrested from Pune for distributing poisonous capsules by pretending to be painkillers in the Mumbai Muharram procession, has made a shocking confession.
Muharram Poison Case: A 39-year-old man from Pune has been arrested for allegedly distributing poisonous capsules pretending to be painkillers during the Muharram procession in Mumbai’s Byculla area. According to the police, the accused told during interrogation that after the separation from his wife two years ago, he wanted to ‘take revenge from the world’. Police say that many people participating in the procession consumed these capsules thinking they were painkillers, after which some people complained of nausea, restlessness and deteriorating health. Some people even became unconscious.
Feelings of revenge arising after separation from wife
According to the police, the accused has been identified as Faiyaz Premji, a resident of Pune. During investigation, he reportedly admitted that after separation from his wife, he had developed anger towards the world and feelings of revenge in his mind. According to investigators, the accused claimed that he had planned to target a large number of people and chose the religious procession for this. Police say that Premji told during interrogation that after his wife left him about two years ago, he felt that the whole world had turned against him. For this reason he allegedly planned to kill a large number of people. Police is also investigating this claim.
Was the accused undergoing treatment?
Senior Police Inspector Deepak Sawant of Byculla police station said that the investigating agencies are trying to find out whether the accused was undergoing treatment for any mental illness. He said that during interrogation it appeared that the accused was mentally disturbed. However, investigation of medical records and other facts in this regard is still going on.
Iran connection is also being investigated
During investigation, the police got information that the mother and sister of the accused lived in Iran and he was in constant touch with them. A police officer said that the mobile phone of the accused has been sent for forensic examination to find out what kind of contacts he had in Iran and whether they have any connection with the case. According to police sources, Premji has also previously worked in Iraq and Iran. His sister is said to be working as a doctor in Iran.
How did the incident happen during Muharram procession?
The incident occurred during the Muharram procession on Friday evening. The procession started from Noor Bagh in Dongri and was going towards Rahmat Bagh cemetery via Hancock Bridge. The complainant, 26-year-old Salman Syed, told the police that he had stopped for some time during the mourning. Meanwhile, a woman wearing a burqa came to him and gave him some capsules. The woman told that these are medicines to reduce pain. According to the police, many people, including Salman, consumed the capsules, while some others kept the pills with them, which the accused had allegedly given to distribute among the people.
People’s health deteriorated after consuming capsules
Many people start feeling nausea, restlessness and discomfort shortly after taking the capsules. The policemen present during the procession stopped Premji for some time, recorded his identity information and then let him go. However, after receiving information that the health of people who had consumed capsules at night was deteriorating, the police raided the guest house in Dongri where the accused was staying.
About 14,900 alleged poisonous capsules recovered
During the search, the police recovered about 14,900 capsules. Investigative agencies claim that a chemical called zinc phosphide was present in them, which is commonly used to kill rats. An officer associated with the investigation said that the recovered capsule has been seized and the accused has been arrested.
How dangerous is zinc phosphide?
According to medical experts, if zinc phosphide goes inside the body, it comes in contact with stomach acid and forms phosphine gas. This gas, when mixed with the blood, can seriously affect the process of oxygen reaching the body cells. Due to this, many organs may stop functioning, the patient may suffer severe shock and in severe cases may even die.
Under which sections was the case registered?
According to the police, Faiyaz Premji works with his father in a paint manufacturing unit in Pune. A case has been registered against him under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 123 (causing hurt by means of poison or noxious substance) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), 2023 along with other relevant sections. The police is currently investigating the entire matter from various aspects and the forensic report is awaited.