Mumbai: Man Nabbed While Distributing Poisonous Capsules During Muharram

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has foiled a major plot to distribute poisonous capsules during a Muharram procession. A suspect named Fayyaz Premji has been arrested in connection with the case. According to the police, the accused was distributing and selling capsules to people under the guise of "pain relief" without any authorization. 

When did the incident occur? 

The incident occurred while the Muharram procession was passing through the JJ and Byculla areas; the accused was allegedly handing out the capsules to the crowd. A police patrol team spotted Fayyaz distributing the capsules, grew suspicious, questioned him, and seized the stock he was carrying.
DCP (Central Region, Zone-1) Jayant Meena stated, "Last night, a Muharram procession was being taken out within the jurisdiction of the Byculla police station. During the procession, a suspicious individual was seen distributing and selling capsules. Acting on suspicion, the Mumbai Police patrol team questioned him and recovered a stock of capsules from his possession." The police claim that during interrogation, the accused admitted he had specifically targeted the Muharram procession with the intent to harm the participants.
DCP Jayant Meena added, "During questioning, the accused revealed that he had procured a total of 30,000 empty capsules and 50 kg of zinc phosphide—a highly toxic chemical used as rat poison." According to the police, the accused has been identified as Fayyaz Premji, a Pune resident and BBA graduate who runs a paint business. Interrogation also revealed that he had spent several days filling the capsules with poison at his location. Police stated that a man named Salman Sayed fell ill after consuming one of the capsules; he was hospitalized for treatment following complaints of stomach pain and vomiting. 
Was a Case Registered? 
Byculla Police have recovered 14,900 poisonous capsules from the accused. Each capsule contained approximately one gram of zinc phosphide. Investigations revealed that the accused had visited Iran and Iraq in 2025. The police are investigating the matter from all angles. A case has been registered against him under Sections 109, 110, and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for poisoning and attempted murder. Police stated that Fayyaz Premji belongs to the Shia Khoja Muslim community.

What do we know about the accused?

Fayyaz's sister works as a physiotherapist in Iran, and his mother also resides there. He is divorced from his wife. Investigations revealed that Fayyaz traveled to Iran and Iraq multiple times between 2019 and 2025. According to the police, he visited Iran and Iraq 19 times in the last year alone. Fayyaz Premji resides in the Viman Nagar area of ​​Pune, where he runs a paint business. During his visits to Mumbai, he stayed at a guest house and a dormitory in the Dongri area. The police are now trying to ascertain the purpose of these trips and whether the accused was acting under someone's influence or preparing to execute a major conspiracy. However, there is currently no official confirmation of any links to terrorist organizations, and the investigation is ongoing. The police are conducting a thorough examination of the accused's mobile phone, digital records, financial transactions, and contacts. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to determine if any other individuals or organizations were involved in this conspiracy.