A potentially catastrophic incident was averted during the Muharram Ashura procession in Mumbai on Friday after police arrested a man on charges of distributing pills allegedly laced with the highly toxic chemical, Zinc Phosphide among attendees of the event, police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Fayyaz Premiji, was detained in the city’s Byculla area on Friday after several people who consumed the pill were taken ill.

As per police, as many as persons attending the event experienced symptoms such as stomach pain and vomiting after they ingested the capsules. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, and were subjected to immediate medical treatment, which helped them slide out of danger, according to authorities. 

Cops confirm presence of Zinc Phosphide

The investigating police personnel said that the capsules allegedly contained Zinc Phosphide, a poisonous compound commonly used in rodenticides. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Jayant Meena said that the substance had been mixed into the capsules. He added that the accused had no legal authorisation to distribute medicines or health supplements. 

The cops seized close to 14,900 capsules from the possession of the accused. During the probe, the police also discovered that the accused had ordered 30,000 empty capsules and around 50 kgs of phosphorus, raising concerns about the scale of the alleged plan.

Women volunteers extend contribution in averting mass tragedies

The police credited three women volunteers with preventing what could have snowballed into one of the most devastating incidents during a religious gathering in recent years. One volunteer reportedly saw the accused distributing capsules in a suspicious manner near Rehmatabad Cemetery at Reay Road. 

The volunteers confronted him after he allegedly claimed that the pills were painkillers and immunity boosters. The volunteers’ suspicion deepened when they opened one pill and found an unidentified powder-like substance inside it. They raised an alarm and informed the police, while ensuring that a public announcement was made over loudspeakers advising people not to consume the capsules. 

The police quickly sprung into action and laid hands on the accused at the scene. They also seized the remaining stock for forensic examination.

Police probing motive

Police sources familiar with the probe said the accused allegedly confessed during interrogation that he intended to cause mass casualties during the procession. However, the cops are persevering in efforts to verify all aspects of the alleged confession as part of the ongoing probe. 

Premji, a BBA graduate, is also reported to have travelled to Iran and Iraq earlier. He has been booked under Section 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence. 

The police are also probing the possibility of the involvement of other persons in the case. They have not ruled out the possibility of a larger conspiracy and are exploring potential terror links too.