• Source:JND

A family of four in Maharashtra’s Mumbai died in April with initial investigation linking the deaths to food poisoning. However, investigation suggests the cause was not the but something else which the investigators are yet to find. The case had come to light on April 27, when four members of a family, including two minor daughters, died due to suspected food poisoning after they consumed biryani for dinner and watermelon late at night.

The victims included Abdullah Dokadia, a 45-year-old mobile accessories trader, his wife Nasreen (35), and their two daughters Zainab (13) and Ayesha (16).The family hosted a dinner a day before, where mutton biryani was served to five relatives. After the guests left, the family ate watermelon around 1 am. By 5 am, all four developed severe symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea and died within hours.

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What Went Wrong With The Family?

Was There Some Financial Stress?

According to an Indian Express report, the family was not under any financial stress. The family was fairly well positioned with Abdullah running a mobile accessories shop. The family was also backed by rental income.

Prior Health Issues To Blame?

As per the report, certain kidney issues were found in Abdullah while Nasreen suffered from thyroid. However, these issues were not serious enough to force the family to take extreme steps.

Gradual Poisoning By Relatives?

As per an officer cited by the Indian Express, a lot of times relatives are involved in poisoning people. They do this by administering microdoses that are spread over days. “That too is not relevant in this case, as all four would not pass away on the same day. These things impact different people over different periods of time, depending on individual physical condition and related factors. In this case, the cause seems something more immediate,” the officer said, as quoted by the report.

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Background Of Daughters

Police reported that both daughters had strong academic records. One of them kept a personal diary, and in her final entry dated April 25, she mentioned doing a workout at home, without mentioning any family concern. Authorities also took statements from Abdullah and the elder daughter, Ayesha. In that, they did not raise any issues and only stated that they had eaten watermelon late at night.

Earlier, NDTV sources said that forensic reports indicate unusual findings. This includes some organs such as the brain, heart, and intestines reportedly turning green. Doctors say these signs do not match normal food poisoning cases. The report further added that morphine, a strong painkiller used in medical settings, was also found in victim Abdullah Dokadia’s body.


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