A Pune-based businessman named Faiyaz Premji was taken into custody by Mumbai authorities after he was caught distributing lethal capsules during a Muharram procession. Premji allegedly filled thousands of empty capsules with zinc phosphide—a potent rat poison—and handed them out to participants under the guise of providing painkillers. The plot was discovered when vigilant volunteers noticed his suspicious behavior and alerted the police. Authorities acted quickly, preventing a potential catastrophe and seizing approximately 15,000 poisoned capsules. Following the incident, Premji reportedly confessed to his chilling intent to harm as many as 15,000 people.

The investigation has since expanded, with police scrutinizing the suspect's frequent travel history to Iran and Iraq. Authorities are currently working to determine if Premji acted as a "lone wolf" or if he had support from a larger network. This alarming incident highlights the growing public safety concerns regarding the misuse of rodenticides across India. As investigators dig deeper into his motives and foreign connections, the case has reignited a broader conversation about the accessibility of lethal chemicals, similar to recent tragedies involving poisoned food that have underscored the urgent need for stricter regulations on dangerous substances.