Mumbai Police foil mass harm plot, arrest man with ‘rat poison’ capsules at Muharram procession

The capsules were seized, and further details were recorded. So far, 14,900 capsules have been seized. Representational Pic

A major tragedy was prevented after Mumbai Police detected a suspicious individual distributing capsules during a Muharram procession in the city, allegedly with the intention of causing widespread harm.

Police said the man, who was distributing capsules containing zinc phosphide, a rodenticide, has been arrested, reported ANI.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central Zone-I, Jayant Meena, said the accused has confessed to the crime and claimed he intended to distribute the capsules as painkillers.

He said that during the Muharram procession in the jurisdiction of Byculla Police Station, Mumbai Police noticed a suspicious man distributing capsules. The capsules were seized, and further details were recorded. So far, 14,900 capsules have been seized.

"Around 4 am, a man named Salman fell ill with vomiting and stomach pain after consuming one of those capsules. Linking the case, police traced and arrested the suspect. He confessed it was a conspiracy to target the procession and cause mass harm. He had procured 50 kg of zinc phosphide and 30,000 empty capsules, filling them over the past 15 days while staying in Mumbai. His plan was to distribute them disguised as painkillers," Meena said, reported ANI.

"Due to the alertness of the Mumbai Police, a major tragedy and possible mass casualty were averted. So far, 14,900 capsules have been seized, with the remaining capsules and chemicals still under investigation. The accused, who runs a paint business, sourced chemicals through his trade and ordered capsules online. His foreign travel links and possible associates in Mumbai are also being investigated," he added.