On Saturday (May 2), 13-year-old Zainab and her parents, sister, and relatives gathered to enjoy a feast of Indian biryani. After midnight, the family indulged in watermelon for dessert. However, the following morning, the entire family of four displayed severe symptoms and tragically succumbed within a mere 12 hours, shocking the Mumbai society.
The victims included the head of the family, 44-year-old Abdullah Dokadia, a mobile phone accessories merchant, his 35-year-old wife Nasreen, and their two daughters: 16-year-old Ayesha and 13-year-old Zainab.
According to reports from The Times of India, eldest daughter Ayesha, a high achiever in her studies, was eagerly awaiting the results of her Class X exams, a crucial academic milestone in India.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that on the day of the incident (April 25), this family dined on biryani with five other relatives, who did not experience any discomfort afterward. The crucial difference was that only the family of four consumed watermelon around 1 AM after the relatives had left.
Before his death, Abdullah and Ayesha recorded statements with the police, clearly indicating that they started vomiting and having diarrhea after consuming the watermelon. The attending physician noted severe damage to the victims’ kidneys. Medical experts suggested that ordinary spoiled watermelon typically does not possess such lethal toxicity, raising suspicions of the presence of specific chemical toxins or deadly bacterial contamination in the watermelon.
The Food and Drug Administration of Maharashtra State released a preliminary report on May 2, ruling out foul play involving artificial additives such as sweeteners or dyes. Samples taken at the scene, including cooked biryani, watermelon, water, raw and cooked rice, chicken, dates, and spices, all met quality standards with no signs of contamination. This ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death.
The focus of the current investigation has shifted to microbial infection or specific chemical toxins. Autopsy reports revealed the presence of potent painkiller opioids in the victims’ bodies. Investigators also noted abnormal green discoloration in some tissues, indicating potential exposure to toxic substances.
Following the tragedy, watermelon sales in certain Mumbai areas, like Bhendi Bazaar, temporarily plummeted. Gastroenterology experts emphasized that watermelon itself is a very safe fruit, and there is no need for excessive panic among the public.
The authorities have classified the case as “accidental death” and have yet to find any evidence of homicide. The final truth of the matter awaits the reports from the Histopathology and visceral toxicology examinations at the Kalina Forensic Laboratory.