The mystery surrounding the deaths of four members of the Dokadia family has deepened further, as new forensic test reports show no trace of the poisonous zinc phosphide on the knife, plates, rice, chicken pulao, and a herbal rat repellent collected from their Pydhonie home. The first forensic report had found zinc phosphide in the watermelon as well as in their viscera, pointing to death due to poisoning.
Police Investigation Intensifies
Police are now trying to trace how the poison, which is commonly used against rats, got into the watermelon. They had hoped the second round of forensic tests could have helped them solve the mystery. On April 26 morning, Abdullah Dokadia (40), wife Nasreen (35), and two daughters Aayesha (16) and Zainab (13) died in the hospital hours after they had chicken pulao for dinner with five other relatives at their home, and watermelon after midnight.
Forensic Findings
Police had sent a kitchen knife, three big cooking spoons, four plates, raw rice, chicken pulao, and a bottle of rat repellent spray found from the Pydhonie residence for testing. This week, police received the test report which stated zinc phosphide was negative for all these items. This has further complicated the investigation.
All Angles Under Probe
Police are now re-probing all four angles: murder, murder and suicide, mass suicide, and accidental death. A financial angle is also under probe. Police are still awaiting Zainab's post-mortem report and the cyber analysis reports of the family members' phones.
Background of the Case
The family had consumed chicken pulao for dinner with relatives, and later ate watermelon. All four family members died hours later, while the relatives survived. The initial forensic report indicated zinc phosphide poisoning, but the latest tests have found no poison on the utensils or food items, raising more questions.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation. They are examining financial records, call data records, and social media activity of the deceased. The cyber analysis of their phones is expected to provide crucial leads. The post-mortem report of Zainab is also awaited.
About the Author: Mateen Hafeez is a special correspondent at The Times of India in Mumbai, reporting on terrorism, underworld, cybercrime, and organized crime syndicates. He also writes about jails in Maharashtra and focuses on human interest stories.
