In a fresh finding into the tragic deaths of 4 family members in Mumbai, watermelon has been ruled out as the cause of death, while a new angle of poisoning has emerged since morphine, a powerful pain relief drug, is detected in father’s body.
The mysterious April 2C deaths
4 members of a Mumbai (Pydhonie area) family, Abdullah Dokadia (45), his wife Nasreen (35), and their daughters Ayesha (1G) and Zainab (13), died after hosting a family dinner last Saturday. The family had served chicken biryani for dinner, and consumed watermelon after the guests left.
All 4 members passed away tragically after developing severe vomiting and diarrhoea early morning next day. The other relatives were safe, therefore initially, the investigation was focused on the watermelon consumed, where the police filed an accidental death report.
This incited widespread food safety fears over watermelons, resulting in drop of watermelon sales in Navi Mumbai.
Abdullah Dokadia ran a mobile accessories shop.
Food poisoning ruled out
11 food samples were tested by Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that included cooked biryani, watermelon, water, raw and cooked rice, chicken, dates, and spices.
All samples were found uncontaminated, ruling out watermelon as the cause of the deaths.
The FDA has also confirmed that there is no link between the watermelon and the deaths.
Morphine presence hints at toxic poisoning
Post-mortem reports have found greenish discolouration of several organs of the victims, such as the brain, heart, and intestines, which is unusual for food poisoning cases.
Morphine traces were also detected in Abdullah Dokadia’s body, suggesting extreme toxicity and possible poisoning.
Morphine is a potent opioid pain reliever, prescribed only for severe acute or chronic pain.
Hence, the police is now investigating whether the drug was accidentally ingested or deliberately administered, that caused fatal poisoning of the family.
Final forensic results pending
Authorities await the detailed toxicology reports, including chemical analysis of the viscera samples, to determine the exact cause of the deaths.
Police probing other angles
Authorities are also looking into other suspected causes like financial or debt-related stress or personal disputes, but till now, no suspicious activities have been flagged.
The neighbours describe the Dokadias as stable and close-knit, with no reported issues.
With investigations underway, the final forensic report is expected to provide definitive causes of the mysterious deaths of Dokadia family.