A Queenpin in the Underworld
Delhi’s crime world has long been dominated by notorious gangsters, but few expected a woman to rise as a central figure in organized crime. That was until the Special Cell arrested Zoya Khan, wife of gangster Hashim Baba, in a drug-related case. Behind her glamorous lifestyle, luxury brands, and high-profile social presence lay a dangerous empire of extortion, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Zoya’s arrest, with 270 grams of heroin worth ₹1 crore, finally exposed her hidden role as the mastermind behind her jailed husband’s criminal operations.
The Woman Behind the Crime Syndicate
Zoya Khan was not just a passive partner to her husband, Hashim Baba, who has been imprisoned in Tihar Jail on multiple charges, including murder, extortion, and arms smuggling. She actively managed his illegal empire from the outside, ensuring that the gang’s operations ran smoothly. Authorities compare her to Haseena Parkar, the sister of Dawood Ibrahim, who took over her brother’s underworld business while keeping a low profile.
Sources say Zoya would regularly visit Baba in jail, where they discussed extortion targets, drug networks, and the gang’s future strategies. Despite being under the police’s radar for years, investigators lacked substantial evidence to arrest her—until a carefully planned operation exposed her direct involvement in drug trafficking.
The Special Operation That Led to Her Arrest
After years of failed attempts, ACP Sanjay Dutt and Inspector Sandeep Dabas finally cornered Zoya in a meticulously planned drug bust. Acting on intelligence, they tracked her movements and arrested her in Northeast Delhi’s Welcome area while she was attempting to supply a consignment of heroin. The drugs, sourced from Muzaffarnagar, suggested her links to a larger narcotics network operating across states.
Ties to Other Crimes: The Nadir Shah Murder and More
Beyond drug trafficking, Zoya’s arrest has unravelled her connections to multiple high-profile crimes. Investigators suspect she was involved in sheltering shooters from the Nadir Shah murder case, further proving her influence in Delhi’s criminal world. The ongoing probe is expected to expose more of her illegal dealings.
Adding to her notorious lineage, Zoya’s family has a criminal past—her mother was jailed in 2024 for running a sex trafficking racket and is currently out on bail. Her father, too, was involved in drug supply. This criminal background gave Zoya a deep understanding of the underworld, allowing her to operate with confidence.
A Lavish Life Funded by Crime
Unlike traditional crime bosses, Zoya crafted an image of sophistication and luxury. She was often seen at high-profile parties, wearing expensive designer brands, and maintaining a strong social media presence, where she flaunted her extravagant lifestyle. Despite living in the midst of gang wars in Northeast Delhi, she ensured that she was always surrounded by armed henchmen from Baba’s gang, adding to her aura of power.
Her dual life—one of a stylish socialite and another of a feared underworld queenpin—made it difficult for authorities to gather evidence against her. However, her involvement in the drug trade finally became her downfall.
The End of Zoya Khan’s Reign?
Zoya Khan’s arrest marks a significant victory for law enforcement, bringing down a major player in Delhi’s underworld. However, her criminal empire does not end with her—investigators are now focusing on dismantling the larger network of criminals she was associated with.
Her story serves as a stark warning about the blurred lines between crime and glamour. No matter how well-disguised a criminal empire is, it eventually unravels. As authorities dig deeper into her connections, one thing is clear—Delhi’s ‘Lady Don’ may have fallen, but the fight against organized crime is far from over.
(With inputs from agencies)
