Ahmedabad Police Probe Mass Suicide or Poisoning in Toddler Deaths
In a tragic incident in Ahmedabad, police are intensively investigating the deaths of three-month-old Raha Prajapati and her four-year-old sister Mishri, with authorities exploring potential angles of mass suicide or deliberate poisoning. The case emerged after the two girls succumbed to suspected food poisoning, while their parents, Bhavna and Vimal Prajapati, remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Toxicology Reports Reveal Fumigants in Parents' Blood
Investigators have disclosed that toxicology reports detected the presence of fumigants—chemicals commonly utilized for preserving wheat grains and exterminating rodents—in the blood samples of the parents. This discovery has heightened suspicions that the couple might have ingested poison in a possible suicide attempt, adding a complex layer to the ongoing probe.
Police Rule Out Contamination in Dosa Batter
Earlier reports indicated that police had excluded contamination in the dosa batter sold by Chandkheda dairy, as approximately 200 individuals who consumed the same batch reported no illnesses. Consequently, the investigation has shifted focus to potential contamination after the batter was purchased or to intentional poisoning, with authorities meticulously examining all possibilities.
Awaiting Forensic Findings for Confirmation
Police officials have stated that postmortem and viscera reports for the two sisters are still pending, and only these forensic analyses will definitively confirm the exact cause of death. In the interim, investigators are questioning the couple's relatives, following revelations of frequent domestic disputes linked to Vimal's precarious financial situation, which may provide crucial context for the case.
Timeline of Events and Hospitalization
The case came to public attention on Tuesday after the girls' deaths and their parents' admission to a private hospital with symptoms of food poisoning. Raha passed away on April 3, followed by Mishri on April 5. According to the children's grandfather, Gaurishankar Prajapati, Vimal purchased the dosa batter from Ghanashyam Dairy on April 1, and the family began vomiting the next morning, necessitating urgent medical care.
Ongoing Medical and Investigative Efforts
Police are also scrutinizing the medical histories of all four family members and have enlisted a panel of doctors for assistance. While the parents' condition is described as stable, their vital signs continue to fluctuate, preventing their discharge from the hospital. Authorities plan to question them once they are medically cleared, as the investigation hinges on preliminary findings and corroborative evidence.
Key Points:
- Police are probing mass suicide or poisoning in the deaths of two young sisters in Ahmedabad.
- Toxicology reports show fumigants in the parents' blood, suggesting a possible suicide attempt.
- Contamination in the dosa batter has been ruled out, shifting the focus to post-purchase issues or intentional acts.
- Forensic reports are awaited to determine the exact cause of death, with relatives being questioned over domestic disputes.
- The parents remain hospitalized in critical condition, with their discharge pending stabilization of their health.
