Mumbai Watermelon Deaths: Poison Found In Fruit But Not In Kitchen, Utensils Or Food, New Forensic Tests Reveal

Published 5 June 2026 · local

Mumbai Watermelon Deaths: Poison Found In Fruit But Not In Kitchen, Utensils Or Food, New Forensic Tests Reveal Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026

Mumbai Watermelon Deaths: Poison Found In Fruit But Not In Kitchen, Utensils Or Food, New Forensic Tests Reveal Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 15:36 IST Zinc phosphide was present in the watermelon and the viscera — but nowhere else in the kitchen. Every surface, utensil and food item tested clean. Mumbai police confirm zinc phosphide rat poison in Dokadia family bodies and watermelon, probing mass suicide or foul play in the April 26 Pydhonie deaths. Four members of one family ate watermelon after midnight and never woke up. Weeks later, police are no closer to an answer — and a second round of forensic tests, according to a report, has only deepened the mystery surrounding the deaths of the Dokadia family of Pydhonie. The first forensic report had found zinc phosphide — a rat poison — in the watermelon and in the viscera of all four victims.

Police hoped the second round would crack the case. It didn’t. According to Times of India, the latest tests found zero trace of zinc phosphide on the kitchen knife, cooking spoons, plates, raw rice, chicken pulao, and a herbal rat repellent bottle collected from the family’s home. Who Died — And How? On April 26, Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen (35) and their two daughters Aayesha (16) and Zainab (13) died in hospital within hours of each other. The family had eaten chicken pulao for dinner with five relatives, then shared watermelon after midnight. The five relatives survived. Where Did The Poison Come From? That is precisely what police cannot figure out. Zinc phosphide was present in the watermelon and the viscera — but nowhere else in the kitchen.

Every surface, utensil and food item tested clean. How rat poison ended up only in the fruit, and nowhere else, remains unexplained. Murder, Suicide — Or Something Else? According to TOI, police are actively re-probing all four angles: murder, murder-suicide, mass suicide, and accidental death. A financial angle is also under investigation. With four possible theories and shrinking forensic leads, the case is effectively back to square one. What Are Investigators Still Waiting For? Two critical pieces are still missing — Zainab’s post-mortem report, and cyber analysis of the family’s phones. Whatever those reveal may be the last real chance at an answer in a case where the evidence keeps running dry. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.