Ahmedabad Family Tragedy: Two Young Girls Die, Parents Hospitalized After Dosa Batter Consumption
A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in the Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad, where two young girls—a three-month-old infant and her four-year-old sister—have tragically died, while their parents were hospitalized, allegedly after consuming dosas made from batter purchased from a local dairy. The case has left authorities and the community in shock, with police probing multiple angles to unravel the mystery.
Details of the Tragic Event
The deceased have been identified as Raha Prajapati, aged three months, and Mishri Prajapati, aged four. Raha passed away on Saturday, April 4, while Mishri succumbed on Sunday, April 5. Their parents, Vimal Prajapati, an insurance agent, and Bhavna Prajapati, a homemaker, are currently admitted to KD Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
According to family accounts, Vimal purchased 3 kilograms of idli-dosa batter from a dairy on IOC Road in Chandkheda on the evening of April 1. The family consumed dosas that night, but by the next morning, all members began experiencing severe vomiting and uneasiness, leading to panic. The girls' grandfather, Gaurishankar Prajapati, recounted the harrowing sequence of events, stating that while the couple initially fell ill, the children, who had also consumed items made from the batter, rapidly deteriorated in health.
"The infant developed severe convulsions and died during treatment. The elder child was briefly discharged but had to be rushed back when her health worsened. She could not be saved," he said.
Police Investigation and Perplexing Angles
The case took a more perplexing turn when police revealed that the infant's death on April 4 was not reported, and the last rites were performed without informing authorities. It was only after the elder child collapsed and died on April 5 that Chandkheda police were alerted, prompting a thorough investigation.
Police Inspector J K Makwana confirmed that a case of accidental death has been registered, with multiple angles under examination. "The findings now hinge largely on the forensic report. So far, no toxic or suspicious substance has been recovered from the house," he stated.
A senior police officer highlighted a critical puzzle: the three-month-old girl could not have consumed dosa as she was exclusively breastfed, yet her condition deteriorated significantly. "Doctors are shocked at how such a young infant died. If she was affected through breastfeeding, the mother's condition would have been more serious. The parents are not critical, but they are under observation in the ICU," the officer explained.
Investigators also noted that nearly 2.7 kilograms of the batter had been returned to the dairy, with only a small portion consumed, adding another layer of complexity to the probe.
Dairy Owner's Response and Official Actions
Meanwhile, the dairy owner, Ketan Patel, has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the same batch of batter was sold to several customers without complaints. "We sell over 100 to 125 kilograms of batter daily. No other customer has reported any issue, and even our family consumed it," he told reporters on Monday.
In response to the incident, officials from the forensic science laboratory and the food and drugs department have collected samples from both the dairy and the residence for analysis. The community awaits further updates as the investigation continues to determine the exact cause of this devastating tragedy.
