Chargesheet filed against Pune man over plot to poison 15,000 at Muharram procession in Mumbai

Mumbai Police, which had uncovered a plot to poison around 15,000 people during a Muharram procession in Mumbai in June, have now filed a detailed 700-page chargesheet in Mazgaon court against Faiyaz Premji, 39, a resident of Pune. Faiyaz works as a dye maker. The incident has caused alarm across the state. The accused is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail.

The investigation has found that Faiyaz holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Before the incident, he stayed at a lodge in Mumbai's Dongri area for two continuous weeks. During this time, he ordered 30,000 empty capsules and filled them with more than 50 kg of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic chemical commonly used to kill rats. Police seized more than 14,900 poisoned capsules in their action.

Faiyaz is alleged to have begun distributing the capsules to devotees in the Muharram procession, describing them as painkillers and immunity-boosting tablets. In questioning, he defended himself by saying he was giving out the tablets to ease the pain during matam, the practice of self-flagellation during Muharram.

However, a young man in the procession, Salman Sayyed, began vomiting and felt restless soon after taking a capsule. He had to be admitted to hospital immediately.

On June 26, the vigilance of the police team deployed for the security of the procession averted a major tragedy. Noticing suspicious behaviour, police caught Faiyaz red-handed before he could distribute more capsules. According to the preliminary investigation, the accused harboured deep resentment against some people in his own community. Police say he hatched the plot to commit mass murder out of this personal quarrel and hatred.

Police have recorded statements from more than 30 witnesses. The seized capsules have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for a final chemical analysis of their contents. Further revelations are expected once the forensic report arrives.