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The mystery surrounding the deaths of four members of the Dokadia family in Pydhonie deepened on Friday after police recovered a bottle of herbal rat repellent from their residence, a day after forensic reports confirmed the presence of lethal zinc phosphide in the watermelon consumed by the family.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, received on Thursday, May 7, confirmed that the family died after consuming watermelon laced with zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rat poison.

Mogal Building, where the Dokadia family resided, in Pydhonie. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

However, during a follow-up search of the house on Friday, May 8, JJ police recovered only a herbal rat repellent bottle. Experts told investigators that the herbal mixture is effective against rodents but generally non-lethal to humans.

The discovery has now shifted the focus of the probe toward tracing the source of the zinc phosphide and determining whether it was deliberately introduced into the fruit as part of a coordinated “suicide pact”.

The unexplained timeline

Investigators are focusing on the period between 10.30 pm and 1.30 am.
According to the police, relatives had visited the family and left around 10.30 pm. However, the Dokadias reportedly consumed the poisoned watermelon only around 1.30 am.

Financial angle weakens

Police said the family was not facing any known financial distress — a factor commonly seen in mass suicide cases.
>> The family lived in a rented flat in Pydhonie
>> Monthly rent was around Rs 9000
>> The expense was reportedly offset by rental income from a shop owned by the family
>> Officials said no major debt or immediate financial pressure has surfaced so far during the investigation.

Police Speak

A senior police officer
‘We are investigating what transpired in those three hours. The timing of the ‘fruit party’ is unusual. We are trying to ascertain if all family members were convinced to take this step together, or if there was a hidden provocation that surfaced late that night’

What police know so far

Key finding    Details
Cause of death                   Consumption of watermelon laced with zinc phosphide 
FSL report received             Thursday, May 7
Fresh recovery from house Herbal rat repellent bottle  
Poison found in body         Zinc phosphide                                  
Key investigation focus      Missing three-hour gap between 10.30 pm and 1.30 am
Financial distress                No major debt found so far