London Pharmacist Battles Extradition Over Alleged Arsenic Poisoning Plot Targeting Ex-Wife’s Family in India

London pharmacist Ajith Mupparapu contests extradition to India over claims he poisoned his ex-wife's family with arsenic and hired contract killers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 10:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

A Deadly Culinary Sabotage During Family Festivities

The prosecution has presented a harrowing account of a targeted poisoning campaign that allegedly occurred during a wedding celebration in Hyderabad. According to Indian authorities, Ajith Kumar Mupparapu arranged for arsenic-tainted salt and chilli powder to be delivered to the home of his ex-wife, Sirisha Muttavarapu, in June 2023. Family members unknowingly consumed the lethal additives while gathered for her brother's wedding, leading to the death of her mother, Uma Maheshwari, just one month later.

Allegations of Multi-Layered Assassination Plots in Hyderabad

Beyond the initial poisoning, the case against the London-based pharmacist details a persistent effort to eliminate his father-in-law, Hanumantha Rao. Prosecutors allege that Mupparapu attempted to organize a staged vehicular accident and sought to hire contract killers to complete the task. Furthermore, the court heard claims of a conspiracy involving a lethal injection of a muscle relaxant, suggesting a sophisticated and varied approach to the alleged murder attempts following the breakdown of his marriage.

Defense Challenges Evidence and Cites Human Rights Concerns

The legal team representing Mupparapu has launched a vigorous defense centered on the lack of direct physical evidence. His lawyers maintain there is insufficient proof to link the pharmacist to the presence of arsenic in the Muttavarapu residence or to any broader conspiracy involving hired assassins. Additionally, the defense is leveraging human rights protections, arguing that their client faces a significant risk of torture by Indian authorities, a claim supported by a legal precedent from February that halted a separate extradition.