Pune man arrested in Byculla for distributing poison capsules at Muharram procession
The Mumbai Police have arrested a Pune resident in Byculla for allegedly distributing capsules filled with highly toxic zinc phosphide during a recent Muharram Ashura procession. The accused, identified as Fayyaz Nisar Hussain Premji, reportedly confessed to investigators that he intended to kill at least 15,000 people during the event, prompting demands for an impartial investigation.
Premji, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, had arrived in Mumbai approximately 15 days before the procession. According to police investigators, he was staying in the Dongri area during this period.
During his stay, Premji allegedly purchased nearly 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide—a highly toxic chemical commonly used as rat poison—along with approximately 30,000 empty antibiotic capsules through online platforms.
Police allege that Premji filled the capsules with the toxic substance himself. He then distributed them during the procession in Byculla, falsely claiming to participants that they were painkillers. Investigators also allege that he threw some of the capsules into the crowd, calling them "chocolates" to encourage people to consume them.
The incident has triggered strong reactions from local political leaders. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan, who attended the procession, termed the incident extremely worrisome and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Pathan stated that he was present at the procession alongside the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), other police officials, social activists, and political leaders.
"I was also in the procession. It was possible that something like this could have happened to me as well. Someone could have approached me too," Pathan said, calling the matter extremely serious and alleging it could be part of a conspiracy to carry out a heinous act during the procession.
According to police details, Premji previously worked in his father's business before moving abroad for employment. Investigators revealed that he had worked in Iran and Iraq, and his family currently resides in Iran.
