Ahmedabad Police Investigate Double Murder of Sisters, Suspect Male Child Preference as Motive
Police in Ahmedabad are conducting a thorough investigation into the tragic deaths of two young sisters, treating the case as a suspected double murder that may be linked to a family's desire for a male child. The victims have been identified as three-month-old Raha Prajapati and her four-year-old sister Mishri Prajapati, whose deaths have sent shockwaves through the community.
Initial Contamination Theory Ruled Out
Authorities initially considered the possibility that contaminated dosa batter might have caused the fatalities. This theory emerged after the family reported consuming dosas made from batter purchased from a dairy on IOC Road on the evening of April 1. However, investigators quickly dismissed this hypothesis when it became clear that no other customers who bought the same batch of batter reported any illness or adverse effects.
Family Members Under Scrutiny
Police have now turned their attention to four family members who are under investigation. The focus is on the girls' parents, Vimal and Bhavna Prajapati, along with their paternal grandparents, Gaurishankar and Kusum Prajapati. Senior police officials have noted significant inconsistencies in the statements provided by the grandparents, prompting consideration of lie-detection tests to verify their accounts.
Evidence Points Toward Infanticide
During the investigation, police recovered a personal diary belonging to Bhavna Prajapati. In this diary, she had expressed a strong wish for a son and made a pledge to visit a temple if her wish were granted. A senior police official stated, "Investigation into the death of the three-month-old is proceeding in the direction of infanticide." Authorities are currently awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory postmortem report, after which formal charges are expected to be filed.
Toxicology Findings Shift Investigation
Toxicology tests conducted on blood samples revealed the presence of aluminium phosphide, a chemical commonly used in insecticides and rodenticides. This discovery shifted the investigation toward possible scenarios of mass suicide attempts or intentional poisoning. Police questioned Vimal Prajapati, who admitted to purchasing ten packets of a wheat preservative containing aluminium phosphide. He confirmed using eight packets but could not account for the whereabouts of the remaining two packets.
Timeline of Events and Family Dynamics
The tragic sequence of events began when the family consumed dosas on the night of April 1. They reported experiencing vomiting and uneasiness the following morning. Raha Prajapati passed away on April 4, followed by her sister Mishri on April 5. Further investigation revealed that the family had experienced frequent quarrels over financial matters, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Police have questioned Vimal's parents about these domestic disputes as part of their comprehensive probe.
The Ahmedabad police continue to pursue all leads in this heartbreaking case, combining forensic evidence with witness statements to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of these two young sisters.
