Investigators say rat poison was detected in the fruit and in the victims’ organs, but the source remains unknown.
MUMBAI, India — A family of four died in Mumbai after eating watermelon later found to contain a toxic chemical commonly used in rat poison, according to investigators who say they are still trying to determine whether the deaths were accidental, intentional or the result of foul play.
Police identified the victims as Abdullah Dokadia, his wife Nasreen Dokadia, and their daughters, Ayesha and Zainab. Authorities said the family became sick late on April 25 after eating watermelon in their apartment in Mumbai’s Pydhonie neighborhood. The deaths quickly drew national attention as forensic investigators confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic substance often used in rodent poison. Investigators said the chemical was found both in watermelon samples collected from the home and in organs taken during postmortem examinations.
According to investigators, the Dokadia family hosted relatives for dinner on the evening before the deaths. Family members and guests reportedly shared biryani and spent several hours together before visitors left around 10:30 p.m. Police said the family later ate watermelon inside the apartment and soon began suffering severe vomiting and diarrhea. Emergency responders transported the victims to a nearby hospital before they were later transferred to JJ Hospital as their condition worsened. All four later died. Senior police officials said investigators have reviewed the timeline carefully and interviewed relatives who attended the dinner gathering. Authorities said no other guests reported symptoms, a detail investigators consider important because forensic tests did not detect poison in the biryani or other foods collected from the residence. One senior officer said police are examining every possible explanation, including homicide, accidental contamination and suicide.
Forensic Science Laboratory officials said testing identified zinc phosphide in multiple biological samples from the victims, including tissue from the liver, kidney and spleen. Investigators also found traces of the substance in stomach contents and abdominal samples taken during examinations. Officials said laboratory testing confirmed the same compound in pieces of watermelon recovered from the apartment. Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe told reporters that investigators did not detect the chemical in any other food item collected during the inquiry. The findings narrowed the investigation around the fruit itself, but authorities said they still do not know how the poison entered the watermelon. Police have questioned neighbors, coworkers and extended family members while also examining food handling practices in the apartment building. Authorities said investigators are reviewing whether contamination could have happened before purchase, during storage or inside the residence. Officials have not announced arrests or identified suspects.
The deaths became widely known across India and sparked concern among residents in Mumbai, where local media referred to the case as the “watermelon deaths.” Traders in some fruit markets reported falling watermelon sales after news of the poisoning spread. Residents in the Dokadia family’s building told investigators the property had a longstanding rodent problem, with many tenants using poison cakes, repellents and glue traps to control rats. That detail became a central focus of the investigation because zinc phosphide is commonly sold in rodent-control products. Medical experts explained that the chemical can become deadly even in very small quantities. Doctors said the substance reacts rapidly when exposed to moisture and releases phosphine gas, which interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen. Exposure can lead to organ failure affecting the heart, liver and kidneys. Investigators have not publicly determined whether the poison could have entered the fruit accidentally through household pest-control efforts.
Police officials said the investigation remains active as forensic teams continue reviewing evidence collected from the apartment and nearby areas. Authorities are also tracing where the watermelon was purchased and whether similar contamination reports have surfaced elsewhere in Mumbai. Investigators said they are examining surveillance footage, sales records and delivery information tied to neighborhood fruit vendors. Officials have not ruled out criminal charges if evidence later shows deliberate poisoning. At the same time, investigators said they have not uncovered evidence clearly supporting suicide. Legal experts following the case said prosecutors would likely require a clear chain of evidence before determining whether criminal liability exists. Authorities also are waiting for additional toxicology analysis and detailed forensic reports that could establish how much zinc phosphide was consumed and how quickly the victims became critically ill after eating the fruit.
Neighbors described the Dokadia family as private and well known in the community, with residents expressing shock over the sudden deaths. Several people gathered outside the family’s building in the days after the incident as police officers and forensic workers entered and exited the property carrying evidence bags and sealed containers. One nearby shopkeeper said residents initially believed the family had suffered food poisoning before reports emerged about the toxic chemical. Medical specialists following the case said zinc phosphide poisoning cases are rare but often difficult to survive because symptoms can escalate quickly. Investigators said the case remains especially troubling because no clear motive or explanation has emerged despite extensive interviews and forensic testing. Police officers acknowledged that the unanswered questions surrounding the deaths have intensified public concern and fueled speculation throughout Mumbai.
The investigation remained unresolved Friday as Mumbai police continued analyzing forensic evidence and tracing the source of the contaminated watermelon. Officials said additional laboratory reports and witness interviews are expected in the coming days as authorities work to determine whether the deaths resulted from accident, suicide or homicide.
Author note: Last updated May 15, 2026.