Four members of a family in the Pydhonie area of south Mumbai died last month due to rat poison, police officials said on Thursday. The Forensic Science Laboratory report has confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide in the viscera, stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples of the deceased.

The deceased were identified as Abdulla Dokadia, his wife Nasrin, and their daughters Aayesha and Zaineb. The watermelon sample also tested positive for zinc phosphide, while all other food items were negative.

The family had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25 and ate pieces of a watermelon hours after the guests had left, suffering severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea in the early hours of April 26.

The police are investigating the incident, with further probe and consultation with forensic doctors underway. The JJ Marg police station has recorded statements of kin and neighbours, and the report will be studied in depth to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The court or further investigations have not announced any next steps yet, but the police will continue to investigate the incident.