Journalist and family poisoned by help

A city-based journalist was poisoned on Wednesday night by his servant, who allegedly wanted to commit theft in the former’s house. The domestic help is absconding. According to police officials, the help was appointed without proper police verification and Khar Police of western suburban Mumbai is now investigating the case.

A source from Khar police station said that journalist Dharmesh Thakkar, his wife Garima and son Aashray were poisoned at around 10.30 pm on Wednesday in suburban Khar. The help mixed with the curry, the juice of a plant which makes a person fall unconscious and served it to them. Mr Thakkar’s relative admitted him to Hinduja Hospital. All three are now stable and will get discharged within a day or two.

A police official said that the help had been hired by the family just a month ago. The police has registered a case against him under Sections 328 and 381 of the IPC. Mr Thakkar meanwhile issued a statement on Thursday evening which read: \"We have regained our consciousness and have been advised further stay in ICU to remove all the poison and toxins spread in our body. We are really worried as Aashray is still in Lilavati ICU and will be under severe trauma. The police has assured that the culprit will be arrested soon.\"