mumbai-police-foil-muharram-poisoning-plot-one-held

Mumbai Police on Saturday said they had foiled an alleged plot to poison participants in a Muharram procession by arresting a man and seizing nearly 14,900 capsules allegedly containing zinc phosphide, a highly toxic substance.

 

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Region, Zone 1) Jayant Meena said the accused was arrested after police received information during the Muharram procession that a man was distributing what appeared to be medicine among participants.

 

Police identified the accused as Faiyaz Premji, a resident of Viman Nagar in Pune. Officials said he holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and runs a paint business.

 

During the operation, police recovered Aadhaar and passport documents from the accused and seized around 14,900 capsules allegedly filled with zinc phosphide before they could be distributed.

 

Investigators alleged the capsules were intended to be handed out among people participating in the Muharram procession, where around 30,000 people had gathered. Police said the timely seizure prevented what could have been a major tragedy.

 

According to officials, one person, identified as Salman Saiyed, reportedly fell ill after consuming one of the capsules, prompting a detailed investigation that led to the arrest.

Also read: Thousands gather in Srinagar for Ashura observance

 

Police said Premji had rented accommodation in Mumbai's Dongri area around 15 days ago. During the investigation, officers also found that he had travelled to Iran and Iraq in 2025. The purpose of those visits is being verified.

 

Investigators further alleged that the accused had ordered nearly 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide and planned to fill capsules with around one gram of the poison each.

 

Police have not disclosed a possible motive behind the alleged conspiracy and said the investigation is continuing to determine whether others were involved.

 

The seized capsules have been sent for forensic examination to confirm their contents.

 

Officials said further questioning of the accused is under way to establish how the poison was procured, whether additional consignments were planned and if there were any wider links behind the alleged plot.

 

The case is being investigated under relevant provisions of the law, and police said more details would emerge as the probe progresses.