Archive · 4 Sep 2026
UK pharmacist can be extradited to India over arsenic death
A pharmacist living in the UK is accused of poisoning his former wife’s family in India.
Prosecutors say arsenic was put into chilli powder and salt sent to the family.
Relatives ate food made with those ingredients during a wedding gathering in June 2023.
Uma Maheshwari became ill and died the next month.
Prosecutors also accuse the pharmacist of planning attacks against her husband.
A London judge said there was enough evidence for the case to be tried in India.
India gave assurances about how he would be treated in custody.
The pharmacist can still appeal the extradition decision.
A London court ruled that Ajith Kumar Mupparapu can be extradited to India to face trial.
Indian prosecutors accuse him of poisoning his ex-wife’s family with arsenic-laced spices in 2023.
His former mother-in-law, Uma Maheshwari, died the following month after relatives ate contaminated food.
He is also accused of plotting to kill his former father-in-law through staged accidents, hired assassins and poisoning.
Mupparapu denies the allegations, citing insufficient evidence and concerns that he could be tortured in India; he can appeal.
- Who
- Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, a UK-based pharmacist, is wanted by Indian prosecutors over the alleged poisoning of his former wife’s family.
- What
- A London court ruled that Mupparapu can be extradited to India to stand trial for alleged arsenic poisoning and plots against his former father-in-law.
- When
- The alleged poisoning occurred in June 2023, and Uma Maheshwari died the following month; the extradition ruling was reported on September 4.
- Where
- The alleged crimes occurred in Hyderabad, southern India, while the extradition ruling was issued by a London court.
- Why
- Indian prosecutors allege that Mupparapu targeted the family after separating from his former wife.
Indian prosecution case
Mupparapu’s defense
Evidence of poisoning
Indian prosecution case
Prosecutors allege that Mupparapu arranged for arsenic-laced chilli powder and salt to be sent to the family, and cited unusually high arsenic levels in relatives’ blood and urine.
Mupparapu’s defense
His lawyers argued that there was insufficient evidence connecting him to arsenic found at the family home or proving his responsibility for the poisoning.
Alleged plot against Hanumantha Rao
Indian prosecution case
Prosecutors allege that Mupparapu organised multiple plans to kill his former father-in-law, including a staged road accident, hired assassins and a fatal injection.
Mupparapu’s defense
His lawyers said there was no direct evidence proving that he participated in a conspiracy to kill Hanumantha Rao.
Extradition and custody
Indian prosecution case
The judge found at least an arguable case and accepted assurances from Indian authorities about Mupparapu’s treatment in custody.
Mupparapu’s defense
Mupparapu’s lawyers warned that he could be tortured by Indian authorities if extradited; he can appeal the ruling.
- Accused
- Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, 46, a British-based pharmacist
- Main allegation
- Sending arsenic-laced chilli powder and salt to his former wife’s family
- Death
- Uma Maheshwari died after relatives ate food made with the alleged contaminated ingredients
- Additional allegations
- Plans to kill Hanumantha Rao through a staged road accident, contract killers and a fatal muscle-relaxant injection
- Court decision
- A London judge ruled that Mupparapu can be extradited to India
- Evidence cited by prosecutors
- Arsenic levels in relatives’ blood and urine were allegedly more than 20 times normal
- Next step
- Mupparapu may appeal the extradition decision at the High Court