New Delhi’s Infamous Lady Don Captured After Years of Evasion
In a significant breakthrough, law enforcement authorities have apprehended Zoya Khan, widely known as the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi, as she was found in possession of 270 grams of heroin, valued at around Rs 1 crore in the international drug market. The arrest took place in the Welcome area of North East Delhi, marking the downfall of a woman who had long eluded the clutches of law enforcement.
Zoya Khan, aged 33, is the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba and has been under surveillance for an extended period. Despite being on the police radar, she continually managed to evade arrest by expertly running her husband’s criminal empire from behind the scenes. With Hashim Baba currently incarcerated, Zoya has been managing his gang, effectively becoming the new face of his illicit operations.
Hashim Baba’s criminal activities span several serious charges, including murder, extortion, and arms smuggling. Prior to her marriage to Baba in 2017, Zoya had been married to another individual. The couple initially became close due to their proximity as neighbors in North East Delhi, where their romance blossomed.
How the Lady Don Operated: A Portrait of Crime
After her husband’s imprisonment, Zoya took the reins of her husband’s gang operations with a level of determination reminiscent of Haseena Parkar, the sister of infamous underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. In the same vein, Zoya has been deeply implicated in coordinating drug supply and extortion processes.
What sets Zoya apart from typical crime lords is her calculated public persona. She has frequently appeared at high-profile events, flaunting luxurious brands and an extravagant lifestyle, which she displayed on social media—gaining a considerable online following. Under the guise of a glamorous life, she had been conducting dangerous dealings right under the authorities’ noses.
Zoya maintained a close connection with her husband, often visiting him in Tihar Jail. It’s reported that Baba trained her in coded language and strategic training on managing finances, further indicating that her involvement in the drug trade was not incidental but rather orchestrated through guidance from her husband. She kept direct communication with Baba’s associates and other criminal elements from outside prison.
The long pursuit by the Special Cell and Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has finally culminated in Zoya’s arrest. Thanks to precise intelligence, the police caught her red-handed with heroin that had reportedly been sourced from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, a hub for drug distribution.
Furthermore, authorities suspect Zoya Khan of providing shelter to shooters involved in the notorious Nadir Shah murder case, which has been a subject of investigation since September 2024. Zoya was previously interrogated regarding her potential links to this case, indicating that her criminal web extends beyond drug trafficking.
Family Ties to a Criminal Legacy
Zoya’s entanglement with the criminal underworld seems to stem from familial connections to crime. Her mother was implicated in a sex trafficking ring and was incarcerated in 2024 but is currently out on bail. Her father was also reportedly associated with drug networks, pointing to a longstanding family involvement in illegal activities.
Operating primarily from North East Delhi, Zoya surrounded herself with armed henchmen, maintaining a stronghold as she managed her husband’s criminal enterprise. The region itself has been notorious for gangs like the Chhenu gang, Hashim Baba’s gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang.
Initially focused on drug trafficking, these gang rivalries have contributed to a rising tide of violence following 2007. Hashim Baba’s gang became notorious for massive extortion revenues, much of which was funneled to Zoya, further solidifying her role in the gang’s operations.
Connections to Notorious Criminal Networks
Recently, Hashim Baba’s name has emerged in conjunction with the Nadir Shah murder case. While incarcerated in Tihar Jail, Baba allegedly confessed to his involvement in the murder, implicating another high-profile gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi. Notably, Bishnoi has been connected to notorious incidents, including the murder of musician Sidhu Moose Wala and the shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence.
Reportedly, despite being held in different correctional facilities, Baba and Bishnoi maintained communication through illicit phone lines, using coded messages to coordinate criminal operations from behind bars. This connection has raised concerns among law enforcement about the broader implications of organized crime networks operating seamlessly even within the confines of prisons.
Authorities continue to gather intelligence on Zoya Khan and the extent of her criminal operations, examining her connections both within and outside the prison system. As law enforcement agencies focus on dismantling her criminal network, Zoya Khan’s arrest marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against organized crime in Delhi.
As per the report by Hams Live News, investigations into her activities continue, as do efforts to probe deeper into her connections with various crime syndicates present in the region. For further insights into organized crime in Delhi, you may refer to related articles on Delhi’s Crime Networks and Drug Trafficking in India.
This arrest serves as a reminder of the persistence of organized crime and the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain power and influence within these networks. Zoya Khan’s apprehension not only affects her immediate operations but may also reverberate through the underbelly of Delhi’s criminal landscape, dismantling a significant chapter of the Lady Don’s reign.
The complexity of organized crime in India, interwoven with familial ties, systemic corruption, and social influences, raises numerous questions about the future of criminal activities and law enforcement responses across the nation. The battle against drugs and crime is far from over, and as authorities continue their pursuit, it will be crucial to scrutinize the evolving tactics employed by these criminal enterprises.
DISCLAIMER
We have taken every measure to ensure that the information in this article and on our social media platforms is accurate, verified, and obtained from reliable sources. For feedback or complaints, please contact us at [email protected].