Hyderabad Arsenic Killing: UK Pharmacist Fights Extradition To India 3 Years After Ex-MIL's Death

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 09:48 IST

UK-based pharmacist accused of sending arsenic-laced spices to ex-wife’s Hyderabad home, killing her mother, begins fight against extradition to India in London court

Nearly three years after a suspected arsenic poisoning at a Hyderabad home left one woman dead and several others hospitalised, the case has resurfaced — this time in a London courtroom.

Indian pharmacist Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, the man at the centre of the investigation, is now contesting India’s attempt to bring him back to face trial. He appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this week, where the extradition proceedings have formally begun.

Indian authorities want him sent back on charges including murder, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy.

A Wedding Gathering, Then Sudden Illness

The allegations trace back to June 2023.

At the time, the family of Sirisha Muttavarapu had gathered at their Hyderabad residence for her brother’s wedding. It should have been a routine family celebration; instead, it turned into a medical emergency.

Several members of the household reportedly fell sick after consuming food prepared at home. Vomiting, diarrhoea — symptoms that at first didn’t point to anything unusual.

But things escalated quickly.

Within weeks, Sirisha’s mother, Uma Maheshwari, died. Tests later revealed what doctors hadn’t initially suspected: arsenic.

Subsequent examinations of other family members showed toxin levels far beyond normal limits — more than 20 times higher, according to prosecutors. Food items in the kitchen, including chilli powder and salt, were also found to be contaminated.

The Alleged Delivery Plot

Investigators believe the poisoning was not accidental.

In court, it was alleged that the arsenic-laced ingredients were sent to the Hyderabad home as a parcel. The delivery itself, prosecutors claim, was made through an unsuspecting courier — a food delivery worker paid a small sum to drop off the package outside the apartment.

The prosecution’s case suggests the substance may have been procured earlier with help from a relative, before being routed into the household kitchen.

Alleged Motive: A Marriage That Had Broken Down

The alleged motive traces back to a deteriorating relationship.

Mupparapu and Sirisha had married in 2018 and were living in the UK. By 2022, the marriage had reportedly collapsed, with allegations of abuse and harassment surfacing during the proceedings. Sirisha eventually moved towards divorce.

According to prosecutors, the separation marked the beginning of a series of targeted attempts against her family.

More Than One Alleged Plot

The poisoning, investigators say, was not the only plan.

In submissions before the London court, Indian authorities outlined multiple alleged attempts to harm Sirisha’s father. These included a plan to stage a road accident, efforts to hire contract killers, and an alleged conspiracy involving a fatal injection of a muscle relaxant.

None of these attempts succeeded, but they form a key part of the broader case being presented against Mupparapu.

Defence Pushes Back On Evidence, Raises Concerns

Mupparapu’s legal team has strongly contested the extradition.

They argue that the evidence tying him to the arsenic poisoning is weak and circumstantial. There is, they claim, no direct proof linking him to the contaminated food items found in the Hyderabad home.

The defence has also raised a separate concern — that if extradited, he could face ill-treatment in India’s prison system, including the risk of torture.

What Happens Next

The extradition hearing is expected to run its course over the coming days, with a ruling likely to follow later.

For now, the case sits in that uneasy space between two jurisdictions — a crime alleged in India, and a legal battle unfolding in the UK.

And at the centre of it remains a disturbing claim: that something as ordinary as kitchen spices may have been turned into a weapon.

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