Mumbai Family Death Mystery: Rat Poison Found in Watermelon Consumed by Family of Four Before Tragic Deaths A month after a family of four was found

A month after a family of four was found dead inside their residence in South Mumbai’s Pydhonie area, forensic investigators have found traces of zinc phosphide — a highly toxic chemical commonly used in rat poison — in both the watermelon consumed by the family and the viscera samples collected during post-mortem examinations.

The findings were submitted on Thursday by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to the Mumbai Police, providing the first breakthrough in the mysterious deaths that shocked the city last month.

The deceased were identified as Abdullah Dokadia, 40, his wife Naseem, 35, and their two daughters — Ayesha, 16, and Zainab, 13. The family was found dead inside their home on April 26, just hours after hosting a dinner gathering for relatives.

According to investigators, the family had dinner with guests earlier in the evening. However, police later learned that after midnight, the four family members consumed watermelon separately inside the house.

Forensic officials now believe the fruit may have been the source of the poisoning.

An official associated with the investigation said zinc phosphide was detected in two critical samples examined by the laboratory — the watermelon recovered from the house and the viscera samples of all four deceased family members.

Zinc phosphide is widely used as a rodenticide in homes, warehouses, and agricultural fields to control rats and pests.

Experts say it is extremely toxic and can prove fatal even in small quantities.

One forensic official explained that the poison usually comes in powder form and may have been sprinkled on the watermelon after it was cut open.

The official noted that the thick outer layer of a watermelon makes it unlikely for poison sprayed externally during cultivation to seep into the edible portion.

Investigators also pointed out that zinc phosphide does not dissolve in water, reducing the possibility that it could have been injected into the fruit.

According to officials, the most probable theory at this stage is that the poison was added directly to the watermelon slices before they were consumed.

However, police say they are keeping all possibilities open.

A senior Mumbai Police officer confirmed that investigators have received the forensic report and are now trying to determine how the toxic substance reached the fruit and who may have been responsible.

Police said the probe will examine every possible angle, including whether the deaths were the result of a suicide-murder case, accidental contamination, or deliberate poisoning.

So far, investigators have not found any clear evidence suggesting the family had financial troubles, domestic disputes, or any apparent reason that could explain such an extreme step.

The tragedy has left neighbours and relatives deeply shaken, particularly because the deaths occurred only hours after the family had hosted relatives at their home in what appeared to be a normal family gathering.

Officials said the investigation is continuing, and more forensic and circumstantial evidence is being examined to establish the exact sequence of events leading to the deaths.