Ahmedabad Siblings' Deaths: Police Deepen Probe into Chandkheda Case
In a tragic and complex case that has shocked Ahmedabad, investigators are meticulously piecing together clues surrounding the deaths of two young siblings in the Chandkheda area. The police are actively working to fill significant gaps in the versions provided by the Prajapati family regarding the sequence of events and the critical decisions they made following the alleged poisoning incident.
Awaiting Forensic Reports Amidst Suspicion of Foul Play
While authorities await crucial lab reports on viscera samples that could definitively determine what caused the deaths of three-month-old Raha and four-year-old Mishri, police officials have reiterated that they are not ruling out the possibility of slow or passive infanticide. This serious allegation underscores the gravity of the investigation as detectives delve deeper into the circumstances.
Investigators are scrutinizing several seemingly questionable decisions made by the family during the treatment phase. According to a police official, the focus includes why Mishri, who was reportedly in a critical condition, was discharged from the hospital while her parents, Vimal and Bhavna, continued to remain admitted. Vimal is currently being questioned, whereas Bhavna remains under medical treatment. Police have also pointed out a critical inconsistency: Raha, at just three months old, could not have consumed dosa, which the family claims was the source of poisoning.
Multiple Layers of Investigation Unfold
The Chandkheda case has revealed several disturbing layers that are raising suspicion of foul play. Investigators are examining:
- The family's overall financial position and Vimal's professional stability.
- Bhavna's reported wish for a male child, as indicated in her diary entries, introducing a potential gender bias angle into the inquiry.
- Inconsistencies in the statements provided by the grandparents.
Police are recording statements from doctors, hospital staff, and other family members to establish accountability and reconstruct what actually transpired. Polygraph tests for family members are being considered as part of the investigative process.
Timeline and Forensic Findings Raise Questions
Investigators have expressed doubts about the timeline presented by the family. According to their account:
- On April 1, Vimal ate dosas made from batter purchased earlier that day.
- On April 2, Bhavna and Mishri allegedly consumed dosas from the same batter.
- By April 3, the family's health deteriorated, leading to the hospitalization of all four members.
- Raha died on April 4, followed by Mishri on April 5.
In a notable twist, Bhavna is said to have returned the remaining batter to the dairy, claiming it had made her family ill. However, early in the investigation, police ruled out contamination of the store-bought batter after questioning the shopkeeper and other customers who had purchased it from the same dairy.
The case came to light a day after Mishri's death when the family initially accused the dairy of selling contaminated batter. This prompted police and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams to collect samples for analysis. On April 7, Raha's body was exhumed for further investigation, and material evidence was seized from the family's home in Chandkheda.
Toxic Substance Discovery and Ongoing Scrutiny
Forensic analysis has revealed traces of aluminium phosphide, a highly toxic pesticide, in the blood samples of the parents. Vimal informed police that he had purchased ten packets of a wheat preservative product, which authorities confirmed contains aluminium phosphide. He stated that eight packets were used but could not account for the remaining two, adding another layer of suspicion to the case.
An investigating officer emphasized, "Only after forensic findings will we be able to draw firm conclusions," noting that all angles, including the possibility of deliberate harm, are being thoroughly examined. The probe continues as Ahmedabad awaits answers in this heartbreaking and perplexing case.
