Ahmedabad Child Deaths: Dosa Batter Contamination Ruled Out as Police Probe Intensifies
In a tragic incident that has gripped Ahmedabad, the deaths of two young children from a Chandkheda family have led to a thorough police investigation. The victims, three-month-old Raha Prajapati and four-year-old Mishri, passed away on April 4 and 5, respectively, after their family consumed dosas made from batter purchased from a local dairy. However, authorities have now effectively ruled out contamination in the batch of dosa batter as the primary cause, citing that approximately 200 other individuals who consumed batter from the same batch reported no illnesses.
Investigation Expands with Crime Branch Involvement
The probe into these heartbreaking deaths intensified significantly on Tuesday, with the city crime branch joining forces with Chandkheda police to delve deeper into the case. In a critical development, officers exhumed the body of infant Raha for a detailed forensic examination. The remains have been sent to Civil Hospital for a panel postmortem, aiming to uncover more clues about the cause of death.
A senior crime branch official stated, "Prima facie, the dosa batter sold by the dairy is unlikely to be the cause of death since 200 people consumed the same batch without falling ill. We are probing all angles, including intentional poisoning and the possibility that the batter used by the family became contaminated later." This statement underscores the complexity of the case, as investigators explore alternative theories beyond initial suspicions of food contamination.
Family's Ordeal and Medical Treatment
The victims' father, Vimal Prajapati, purchased around 3kg of dosa batter from a dairy on IOC Road on the evening of April 1. The family prepared and ate dosas that night, only to experience vomiting and uneasiness the following morning. While Vimal and his wife, Bhavna, are currently undergoing treatment at KD Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, the loss of their children has sparked widespread concern and a rigorous police investigation.
Investigators have been particularly puzzled by the death of the three-month-old infant, Raha, who was exclusively breastfed and could not have consumed solid food. This anomaly has added a layer of mystery to the case, prompting authorities to consider all possible scenarios, including intentional poisoning or post-purchase contamination of the batter.
Dairy Owner's Response and Forensic Efforts
The dairy owner involved in the incident has denied any lapse on his part, asserting that the same batch of batter was sold to multiple customers and that he had not received any complaints prior to this tragedy. Meanwhile, forensic teams have been active in collecting samples from both the Prajapati family's residence and the dairy premises. Police are now awaiting viscera and forensic reports, which are expected to conclusively establish the cause of death and provide critical insights into this ongoing investigation.
As the community mourns the loss of these young lives, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind this devastating event. The police continue to work diligently, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for answers, while the family and public await further developments with bated breath.
