Suspect Confessed to Planning Mass Poisoning at Muharram Procession, Police Claim

Mumbai: Faiyaz Premji, who was arrested for allegedly distributing capsules containing rat poison during a Muharram procession in Mumbai, has reportedly confessed to investigators that he intended to kill at least 15,000 people, police said.

According to police, they recovered 14,900 capsules allegedly containing zinc phosphide, a toxic compound commonly used in rat poison, from his possession.

Investigators said Premji had allegedly purchased nearly 50 kg of zinc phosphide and around 30,000 empty capsules online. He is accused of spending more than two weeks filling the capsules with the poisonous substance while staying at a hotel in south Mumbai before distributing some of them during the Ashura procession on Friday.

Police said the capsules were distributed during the Ashura procession on the tenth day of Muharram, when thousands of Shia Muslims gathered in south Mumbai to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. The annual procession begins at the JJ flyover junction and ends at Arambaug cemetery.

A senior police officer said Premji allegedly approached participants engaged in self-flagellation and told them the capsules were painkillers that would help ease their pain. The case came to light after one participant fell ill with vomiting and severe stomach pain and was admitted to hospital. The hospital later alerted the police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone-I) Jayant Meena said a police patrol team had earlier noticed a suspicious man distributing and selling capsules during the procession. As he did not have permission to sell them, officers questioned him, seized the capsules in his possession and recorded his personal details, including his Aadhaar card, passport and mobile phone number.

At around 4 am on Saturday, Byculla Police received a medico-legal case involving Salman Sayyed, who was admitted to hospital with vomiting and stomach pain. Police suspected the capsule seller and traced him through his mobile phone number before arresting him.

During interrogation, Premji allegedly confessed that he had deliberately targeted the Muharram procession and intended to harm participants, Mr Meena said.

Premji allegedly told investigators that he had ordered 30,000 empty capsules and 50 kg of zinc phosphide online.

Police later recovered 14,900 capsules allegedly filled with zinc phosphide. The chemical reacts with stomach acid to release phosphine gas, which can cause severe poisoning, multi-organ failure and death.

Premji has been booked under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 123 (causing hurt by means of poison) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Mr Meena said the prompt action of the Mumbai Police helped avert a major incident.

According to police, Premji is a BBA graduate who manages his family’s paint business in Pune. Officials said his mother and sister live in Iran and that he has travelled to Iran and Iraq several times since 2019, including two visits in 2025. Police also said he is married but currently lives separately from his estranged wife. His motive is still not clear.