Police in Mumbai foiled a major tragedy after detaining a man accused of distributing poisonous capsules during a Muharram procession in Byculla on Friday.
Officials said nearly a dozen people fell ill after consuming the pills, which later tested positive for zinc phosphide, a lethal compound commonly used in rat poison, NDTV reports.
The suspect, identified as Fayyaz Premji, was caught handing out the capsules near Rehmatabad Cemetery at Reay Road, passing them off as painkillers and immunity boosters.
Volunteers noticed his suspicious behavior, stopped him, and alerted police. An announcement was made over loudspeakers warning the crowd not to take the pills.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayant Meena confirmed the capsules contained zinc phosphide and said Premji had no authorization to distribute any medication.
Authorities seized his stock of 14,900 capsules and revealed he had ordered 30,000 empty capsules and 50 kilograms of phosphorus.
At least 11 people were hospitalised with stomach pain and vomiting, including Salman Sayed, but all are now out of danger. Police said the capsules will undergo forensic analysis.
Premji later confessed he intended to kill thousands of people at the procession. He told investigators, “I wanted to kill at least 15,000 people.”
He has been remanded in police custody for two days. Officials disclosed that Premji is a BBA graduate with a history of foreign travel, including visits to Iran and Iraq.
A case has been registered at Byculla Police Station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 123, which covers causing harm by poison with criminal intent.
Police are probing possible terror links and whether Premji acted under instructions from a wider network.
Experts warn zinc phosphide is highly toxic. Once ingested, it reacts with stomach acid to release phosphine gas, which can fatally damage the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain.
There is no antidote; survival depends on immediate hospitalisation and symptom‑based treatment with ventilator support.
