New Delhi:
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Zoya Khan, the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba, in the Welcome area of North East Delhi. The 33-year-old, known as the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi, was caught red-handed with 270 grams of heroin valued at approximately Rs 1 crore in the international market.
Zoya Khan had been a elusive figure for law enforcement, managing her husband’s extensive criminal empire with precision and evading direct links to illegal activities. However, a tip-off led the police to lay a trap, resulting in her arrest on Wednesday. This breakthrough marks the end of a long-standing cat-and-mouse game between Zoya and the authorities.
Hashim Baba, Zoya’s husband, is a feared gangster with multiple cases against him, including murder, extortion, and arms smuggling. After his incarceration, Zoya took over the reins of his gang, mirroring the role of Haseena Parkar, who once controlled the criminal empire of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. According to police sources, Zoya was deeply involved in managing extortion rackets and drug supply networks, using coded messages and secret phrases learned from her husband during his jail visits.
Unlike traditional crime bosses, Zoya maintained a high-profile image, frequently attending elite parties and flaunting expensive designer clothes. Her social media presence was vibrant, showcasing her luxury lifestyle. However, behind this glamorous facade, she was orchestrating the gang’s operations, coordinating with her husband’s associates and other criminals.
The heroin seized from Zoya was allegedly sourced from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and was intended for distribution in Delhi. Police suspect her involvement in the high-profile murder of Nadir Shah, a gym owner in South Delhi’s Greater Kailash-1 area, who was shot dead in September 2024. Zoya had previously been interrogated in connection with this case at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell.
Zoya’s criminal background extends beyond her marriage to Hashim Baba. Her mother was arrested in 2024 for alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring and is currently out on bail, while her father has long been suspected of having ties to drug supply networks. Operating primarily from Usmanpur in North East Delhi, Zoya was always surrounded by armed henchmen loyal to her husband’s gang.
The region of North East Delhi has been a battleground for rival gangs, including the Hashim Baba gang, the Chhenu gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang, among others. These gangs, initially involved in drug trafficking, have been embroiled in violent turf wars since 2007. Hashim Baba’s gang, in particular, has amassed significant revenue from extortion, much of which was funneled to Zoya.
Hashim Baba’s name surfaced in the Nadir Shah murder case, where he allegedly confessed to his role in the killing and implicated Lawrence Bishnoi, another jailed gangster linked to the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and the shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence. Baba and Bishnoi developed ties during Baba’s imprisonment in 2021, maintaining contact through illicit phone lines and video calls to coordinate their criminal activities.
With Zoya Khan’s arrest, the Delhi underworld faces a significant shakeup. The police continue to investigate her drug empire, financial transactions, and possible links to other organized crime syndicates.
