Watch: Mumbai vendors apply rat poison on fruits kept for sale; 2 arrested

• Mumbai fruit sellers arrested for poisoning fruits with rat poison
• Stall sealed after video evidence submitted to police
• Rat poison poses serious health risks if consumed

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Two fruit sellers from Malad West in Mumbai have been arrested after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing them applying rat poison to fruits kept for sale.

The matter came to light on Wednesday after a local resident filed a complaint with Malad Police and submitted video evidence. Acting on the complaint, police visited the roadside fruit stall and recovered a substance identified as Ratol, a commercially available rat poison, NDTV reported.

#Mumbai#Malad (W)- Byte given by @MumbaiPolice senior officer chavhan Malad PS- Two fruit sellers Manoj Kesarwani and Rahul Kesharwani arrested from Malad for selling fruits by applying rat poison on it. pic.twitter.com/kOBql4oLG9pic.twitter.com/6LOkNwd4yw

— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) February 26, 2026

Officials said the product contains toxic chemicals such as yellow phosphorus, which can be dangerous if consumed. The stall has been sealed.

The accused have been identified as Manoj Sangamlal Kesarwani (42) and Rahul Sadanlal Kesarwani (25), both residents of Rajanpada in Malad West. They were produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali later the same day.

According to police, the two vendors told investigators that they used the substance to prevent rats from damaging their fruits during the night. However, health officials have warned that applying such a poisonous substance on food items can pose serious health risks. If consumed, it may cause vomiting, severe stomach pain, organ damage and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

The video, which quickly spread online, showed one of the vendors handling bananas and appearing to apply a cream-like substance on them. This created concern among local residents, especially over food safety and hygiene standards at roadside stalls.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigations are continuing.