Mumbai family feasts on biryani, watermelon, all 4 found dead next morning

A suspected case of food poisoning has left a family of four dead in Maharashtra, sending shockwaves through Mumbai and raising urgent questions over what triggered the sudden tragedy.

The incident was reported from the Paydhuni area, where Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen Dokadia (35), and their two daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (13) died under suspicious circumstances.

According to preliminary information, the family had a meal at home on April 25 and had invited relatives over for dinner. After eating biryani, they later consumed watermelon at night. Within hours, their condition began to deteriorate.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Munde said, “An unnatural death report has been registered at JJ Marg police station. Four members of a Muslim family, husband, wife and their two daughters, have died. On April 25, they had called relatives home and ate together. Around 10:30 pm, the relatives left. Later at night, around 1 am, they ate watermelon. By early morning around 5–6 am, they started complaining of vomiting and loose motions.”

As their health worsened rapidly, the family was taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to JJ Hospital. Despite medical efforts, all four died during treatment.

Local resident Dr Zaid Qureshi said, “Their condition worsened suddenly at night. They had vomiting, diarrhoea and weakness. They were rushed to hospital, but could not be saved.”

Police have registered a case of accidental death and launched an investigation. Food samples and biological samples have been collected during the postmortem to determine the exact cause.

DCP Munde said, “Postmortem has been conducted. Food samples and body samples have been taken. Further investigation is underway.”

While food poisoning is suspected, authorities have not ruled out other possibilities. The exact cause of death will be confirmed only after forensic and postmortem reports are completed.

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