The mysterious deaths of three people in four days in Madhya Pradesh’s Junnardeo area have taken a grave turn after laboratory tests revealed abnormally high levels of arsenic in unclaimed pedas (sweets) allegedly consumed by the victims, prompting police to suspect a case of “targeted poisoning”.

Lab report raises alarm

Samples of the cashew nut-laced pedas were tested at a food department laboratory in Indore, which confirmed the presence of arsenic — a highly toxic substance. Based on the findings, police believe the poison may have been deliberately mixed into the sweets.

“The report suggests targeted poisoning, but it is still unclear who the intended victim was,” said Rakesh Baghel, station in-charge of the local police station.

Sequence of deaths

An unclaimed bag containing vegetables and a box of pedas was found outside the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) office in Junnardeo on January 9. The sweets were first consumed by PHED chowkidar Dasaru Yaduvanshi (50), who developed severe vomiting, diarrhoea and a sudden drop in blood pressure. He died on January 11.

Two days later, Sunder Lal Kathuria (72), who reportedly consumed the same sweets, died on January 13. His married granddaughter Khushboo succumbed the next morning while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Nagpur. Khushboo’s mother, Santoshi, also fell critically ill and was hospitalised for several days.

Focus shifts to family links

Investigators said the line of suspicion is gradually pointing towards someone close to the Kathuria family, which runs a tea stall near the PHED office. Sources indicated strained family relations in recent months, particularly linked to Khushboo’s marriage, as a possible angle under probe.

Further tests awaited

Police have sent viscera samples of the deceased and remaining sweets to a laboratory in Jabalpur for confirmation. “Only after the second report will the exact cause of death be conclusively established,” an officer said.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the town, raising serious concerns about public safety and deliberate poisoning.