Muharram poisoning case: Broken home, social isolation led accused to plot revenge
Police say the accused distributed alleged poison-filled capsules during a Muharram procession in Mumbai. Investigators are probing whether personal grievances, isolation and mental health issues shaped the alleged plot.
Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the alleged poisoning plot during a Muharram procession in Mumbai, with police claiming the accused, 39-year-old Faiyaz Nisar Hussain Premji, had been waiting for the religious event for more than a year and allegedly harboured resentment towards members of his own community.
According to investigators, Premji told police that his intention was not to kill anyone but to "trouble people". Police claim he even conducted a trial beforehand to determine how much poison could prove fatal and allegedly prepared one-gram capsules so that consuming them would not result in death.
The Mumbai Police investigation has revealed that Premji's personal life had taken a hit over the past few years. Officers claim his marriage had broken up, he had become socially isolated after his family was allegedly ostracised by members of the community, and he had been struggling with mental health issues while also taking multiple medications.
FAMILY TURMOIL, SOCIAL BOYCOTT UNDER SCANNER
According to police, Premji had earlier distributed pamphlets opposing certain religious practices followed by Muslims. Investigators claim this led to religious leaders allegedly ostracising his family from the community. Following the social boycott, Premji moved to Pune with his mother, elder brother Mohammed Abbas and two younger sisters, Sakina and Rubina, while making occasional trips to Mumbai, where he stayed in budget hotels or dormitories.
Police said Premji holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree and had been married, but his wife left him around four years ago. Investigators believe strained family relationships and a feeling of being ignored by relatives further affected his mental health.
According to police, Premji and his family moved to Iran in 2019, where he started a fast-food business. The family returned to Pune in 2025. During questioning, Premji allegedly told investigators that his grandfather had also campaigned against what he considered rigid practices within the Shia community, something police believe may have influenced his views.
PLANNED PLOT MONTHS IN ADVANCE: COPS
Investigators allege that after returning to Pune in 2025, Premji began planning the attack well in advance while waiting for Muharram processions. Police claim he learnt to manufacture capsules through online sources, including YouTube videos, and prepared around 30,000 capsules.
Police further allege that about two weeks before the Muharram procession, Premji checked into a budget hotel near the procession route. During his stay, he allegedly ordered around 30,000 empty capsules and approximately 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rodenticide, through an online platform and spent several days filling the capsules inside his hotel room.
Investigators claim Premji blamed members of his own community for his personal hardships, including his failed marriage and family problems, and allegedly decided to target followers of a particular sect during Muharram processions in Mumbai's Byculla and Dongri areas.
According to police, Premji was seen distributing capsules from a bag among participants in the procession. When security personnel questioned him, he allegedly claimed the capsules were painkillers meant to help those injured during the procession.
Shortly afterwards, two people complained of vomiting and uneasiness after allegedly consuming the capsules. Police said they informed officers that they had received the capsules from Premji.
30,000 CAPSULES, 50 KG ZINC PHOSPHIDE PROCURED
Premji was subsequently detained from a hotel in Dongri. During a search, police said they recovered 14,900 capsules allegedly filled with zinc phosphide powder. Investigators also claim to have established that he had purchased nearly 30,000 empty capsules and around 50 kilograms of the toxic chemical.
Police said Premji remains in custody and is being questioned. Investigators are examining whether his mental health condition and personal grievances played a significant role in the alleged plot.
Officials said no terror links have been established so far. Although Premji had travelled extensively to Iraq and Iran, investigators said there is currently no evidence linking him to any extremist organisation or radical network. However, all possible angles are being examined, and his mobile phone has been sent for forensic analysis to examine his recent internet activity, communications and online searches.
Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the alleged poisoning plot during a Muharram procession in Mumbai, with police claiming the accused, 39-year-old Faiyaz Nisar Hussain Premji, had been waiting for the religious event for more than a year and allegedly harboured resentment towards members of his own community.
According to investigators, Premji told police that his intention was not to kill anyone but to "trouble people". Police claim he even conducted a trial beforehand to determine how much poison could prove fatal and allegedly prepared one-gram capsules so that consuming them would not result in death.
The Mumbai Police investigation has revealed that Premji's personal life had taken a hit over the past few years. Officers claim his marriage had broken up, he had become socially isolated after his family was allegedly ostracised by members of the community, and he had been struggling with mental health issues while also taking multiple medications.
FAMILY TURMOIL, SOCIAL BOYCOTT UNDER SCANNER
According to police, Premji had earlier distributed pamphlets opposing certain religious practices followed by Muslims. Investigators claim this led to religious leaders allegedly ostracising his family from the community. Following the social boycott, Premji moved to Pune with his mother, elder brother Mohammed Abbas and two younger sisters, Sakina and Rubina, while making occasional trips to Mumbai, where he stayed in budget hotels or dormitories.
Police said Premji holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree and had been married, but his wife left him around four years ago. Investigators believe strained family relationships and a feeling of being ignored by relatives further affected his mental health.
According to police, Premji and his family moved to Iran in 2019, where he started a fast-food business. The family returned to Pune in 2025. During questioning, Premji allegedly told investigators that his grandfather had also campaigned against what he considered rigid practices within the Shia community, something police believe may have influenced his views.
PLANNED PLOT MONTHS IN ADVANCE: COPS
Investigators allege that after returning to Pune in 2025, Premji began planning the attack well in advance while waiting for Muharram processions. Police claim he learnt to manufacture capsules through online sources, including YouTube videos, and prepared around 30,000 capsules.
Police further allege that about two weeks before the Muharram procession, Premji checked into a budget hotel near the procession route. During his stay, he allegedly ordered around 30,000 empty capsules and approximately 50 kilograms of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rodenticide, through an online platform and spent several days filling the capsules inside his hotel room.
Investigators claim Premji blamed members of his own community for his personal hardships, including his failed marriage and family problems, and allegedly decided to target followers of a particular sect during Muharram processions in Mumbai's Byculla and Dongri areas.
According to police, Premji was seen distributing capsules from a bag among participants in the procession. When security personnel questioned him, he allegedly claimed the capsules were painkillers meant to help those injured during the procession.
Shortly afterwards, two people complained of vomiting and uneasiness after allegedly consuming the capsules. Police said they informed officers that they had received the capsules from Premji.
30,000 CAPSULES, 50 KG ZINC PHOSPHIDE PROCURED
Premji was subsequently detained from a hotel in Dongri. During a search, police said they recovered 14,900 capsules allegedly filled with zinc phosphide powder. Investigators also claim to have established that he had purchased nearly 30,000 empty capsules and around 50 kilograms of the toxic chemical.
Police said Premji remains in custody and is being questioned. Investigators are examining whether his mental health condition and personal grievances played a significant role in the alleged plot.
Officials said no terror links have been established so far. Although Premji had travelled extensively to Iraq and Iran, investigators said there is currently no evidence linking him to any extremist organisation or radical network. However, all possible angles are being examined, and his mobile phone has been sent for forensic analysis to examine his recent internet activity, communications and online searches.
