In Analysis

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Reports have emerged in recent days that a UK-based pharmacist is fighting extradition to India for allegedly poisoning his former wife's family, resulting in the death of his ex-mother-in-law, and attempting to hire contract killers to murder her father.

Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, 45, who does not appear to be on the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) register, heard the allegations against him at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. Independent Community Pharmacist has contacted the GPhC for a response.

According to Reuters, Indian prosecutors accused Mupparapu of arranging for chilli powder and salt laced with arsenic to be sent to Sirisha Muttavarapu’s family in Hyderabad, the capital of southern India's Telangana state.

Mupparapu allegedly targeted her family in June 2023 after she filed for divorce. The family were celebrating Muttavarapu’s brother's wedding at their home when they were said to have consumed the powder and salt. Muttavarapu’s mother Uma Maheshwari died in July 2023.

Prosecutors claimed the arsenic was allegedly obtained by Mupparapu's sister. Reuters reported that tests showed arsenic levels in the blood and urine of those who ate the chilli powder and salt were over 20 times higher than ⁠the normal level.

Mupparapu is also alleged to have staged a road accident in an attempt to kill Muttavarapu's father Hanumantha Rao and conspiring to have him injected with a lethal dose of muscle relaxant.

Lawyers for Mupparapu insisted evidence proving he had anything to do with any arsenic found in the house or attempt to have Rao killed was insufficient. 

Referencing the case of London-based Sanjay Bhandari, who was wanted in India on allegations of tax evasion and money laundering but won an appeal against his extradition in February last year after the High Court ruled he was at risk of torture, Mupparapu’s lawyers argued he would probably be tortured if he returned to India.