Uncle who mixed phenol in niece’s wedding reception food arrested

Kolhapur: The police have secured three days of custody for the man (maternal uncle), who has been accused of mixing phenol—a poisonous chemical—into the food prepared for his niece's wedding reception.The accused, Mahesh Jotiram Patil, was absconding since the incident occurred on Tuesday. However, he was arrested on Thursday by a team of officers from Panhala police station.In the preliminary investigation, Patil told the police that he felt betrayed since his niece eloped with the young man from his village, Utre. She used to stay with her maternal uncle, who claimed to have raised her like his own daughter."He told us that he felt betrayed after his niece eloped and got married against his wishes. He told us that he did not eat for eight days after she eloped. Therefore he mixed the poison in the food so that everyone would stay hungry," said assistant police inspector Sachin Bombale.The officer stated that the police will investigate whether the intention was to harm the guests at the event or simply to express his anger against the marriage.