Two fruit sellers arrested for applying rat poison on fruits

Two fruit sellers in Mumbai arrested for applying rat poison to fruits, risking public health and safety.

Two fruit sellers in Mumbai’s Malad area were arrested for allegedly applying rat poison on fruits before sale, Mumbai police said on Thursday (February 26, 2026). 

“The two accused, who were arrested, are from the Rajanpada area. They said that they applied rat ointment to keep rats away from the fruits,” said Malad police officer. 

The accused were identified as Manoj Kumar Kesarwani and Rahul Kesarwani. They were booked under Sections 125, 274, 275 and 286 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after the FIR was filed by a local resident, Kunal Salunke, according to police. 

The incident came to light after the video went viral on the social media platform X, where the seller was holding the rat cream Ratol. The video posted by a user, Shaikh Jabbar, also a MNS worker, was captioned, “Irresponsibility of a non-local fruit seller in Malad reaches its peak! By applying cream like Ratol oil fruits, directly playing with the lives of Mumbaikars. Using substances like Ratol can cause vomiting, stomach pain, food poisoning, liver damage, and risk to life.”

In the video, the accused said, “Kharaab kele hain”, while someone else pointed towards the pomegranate, claiming the same substance was applied to them. 

After the video came to light, BMC P/North office has removed the stall, while officials are carrying out a survey to inspect the vegetable and fruit sellers.