On alleged deaths after eating watermelon, biryani: Probe underway, cause still unclear, says officials
Officials stressed that a final conclusion will only be drawn after a comprehensive examination from all angles.
Ten days after their deaths, police are yet to find out what killed them In the case of suspected deaths allegedly following the consumption of biryani and watermelon, no conclusive findings have emerged so far, although the possibility of chemical contamination or poisoning has not been ruled out, senior officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Kalina said on Monday.
“Chemical analysis of the collected samples is currently underway, with both organic and inorganic toxins being examined. It would be premature to draw any conclusions until the report is complete. Even trace amounts of toxic substances, if found, will be clearly mentioned in the report,” the official said.
The investigation is exploring multiple possibilities, including food adulteration, poisoning, and bacterial or fungal contamination, officials added. “Food poisoning, toxins, or any other specific cause has not yet been established. The FSL has not issued any official confirmation regarding the presence of morphine or any other specific chemical substances. We are clarifying again that all findings are communicated only to the police.”
According to FSL, the probe is employing advanced techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), which enables the detection of a wide range of chemical compounds, including morphine. “If any toxic or medicinal substance is present in the samples, it will be detected through the analysis. We are also examining other factors such as agricultural contamination, possible exposure to rodents or external agents, and improper food storage conditions. The possibility of food adulteration, fungal growth, or naturally occurring contamination has not been ruled out yet.”
Officials stressed that a final conclusion will only be drawn after a comprehensive examination from all angles.
“Premature conclusions can create confusion among the public. Scientific analysis takes time. The final report is expected to be submitted to the police by Wednesday evening after all tests are completed, following which the exact cause of the incident is likely to be determined. We, from the forensic laboratory urge citizens and the media houses to refrain from speculation and await the official findings,” the official added.
Share
