A major tragedy was averted in Mumbai during the Ashura Tazia procession when police arrested a man accused of attempting to poison thousands of participants. On Friday, authorities detained Fayaz Premji in the Byculla area after several people fell ill from consuming pills he had distributed. Tests revealed the pills contained zinc phosphide, a toxic compound commonly used in rat poison. Premji reportedly admitted that he planned to kill around 15,000 people by distributing the poisonous tablets.

According to NDTV, Premji was seen handing out the pills near the Rehmatabad cemetery on Reay Road, claiming they were painkillers or immunity boosters. At least eleven people became sick after taking the capsules and were hospitalized, though all are now out of danger. One of the affected individuals, Salman Sayed, reported stomach pain and vomiting after ingestion.

A local court on Saturday placed Premji in police custody for two days as the investigation continues into the attempted mass poisoning plot.