Police in India have arrested a man accused of poisoning the food at his niece’s wedding allegedly because he didn’t approve of her groom. Mahesh Jotiram Patil was apprehended for reportedly spiking the wedding feast in Kolhapur, located approximately 200 miles southeast of Mumbai, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, according to reports from Times of India (TOI), The Hindustan Times, and Press Trust of India (PTI).
Despite initially managing to flee, Patil was eventually taken into custody on Thursday, as stated by TOI. During interrogation, Patil purportedly confessed to law enforcement officers that he felt “betrayed” by his niece, who had eloped with a man against his wishes.
Assistant police inspector Sachin Bombale, as cited by TOI, revealed that Patil shared his motivation behind the poisoning, stating, “He told us that he did not eat for eight days after she eloped. Therefore, he mixed poison in the food so that everyone would stay hungry.”
As Patil was allegedly tampering with the food, a vigilant waiter noticed his actions and promptly informed the family members, as reported by The Free Press Journal. The contaminated food was swiftly removed before it could be consumed, according to The Hindustan Times and PTI.
Patil, identified as the bride’s maternal uncle, asserted to authorities that he had raised the girl as his own, TOI disclosed. He now faces charges of endangering the lives of individuals, the Panhala police department informed PTI.
