Woman found dead in Mumbai railway guesthouse

“We have registered a case of accidental death. The cause of death is not yet ascertained,” said a railway police officer, adding that investigators were probing whether it could be a case of food poisoning or poisoning due to residues from pesticide treatment done in the retiring room at the guesthouse a few days ago.

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Incidentally, another person allotted the same room on Friday is currently admitted to St George Hospital, being treated for symptoms similar to Nazma’s.

Rehman, a naik in the Indian Army, is posted in Pune but was recently sent to Tamil Nadu on duty. The couple had checked into their room at 10.30 pm on April 22 after arriving in Mumbai by the Madgaon Express. They were to leave for hometown Kolkata on April 24 by train.
“On April 22, while arriving in the city, the couple purchased biryani from the pantry car of the train. Once at the retiring room, the duo freshened up and consumed the biryani. However, after some time, the two felt uneasy and requested the attendant for a change of room. They were given another room,” said a railway police spokesperson. However, according to an investigator, the couple chose to spend the night in the room that was allotted originally — retiring room number 1.

“The postmortem report does not suggest foul play. It appears to be a case of poisoning but we are awaiting forensic reports,” said an officer.

“Rehman said in his statement he vomited more than 20 times. He said his wife was feeling very weak and giddy,” said another investigator. Officers said they would probe whether disinfectant sprayed in the room a few days ago could be responsible. “After learning about this, we called a state FSL team yesterday (Sunday) to collect residual samples from walls, furniture, etc to check if it is a case of residual air poisoning caused by wrong or excessive use of pesticide,” said the railway spokesperson.

An investigator added, “A day before the couple arrived, one Tijender Singh (55) was residing in the same room. Tijender is currently admitted in St George’s Hospital after complaining of vomiting and giddiness.”

A team from the BMC too inspected the room Monday for insecticide levels but found nothing unusual, said the police.

Meanwhile, a doctor at St George Hospital said Rehman was discharged against advice on Monday morning. “He was being treated for food poisoning and consumption of unknown toxic substance,” said the doctor.

A family member said Rehman had reached Kolkata for his wife’s last rites.

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