Zoya Khan, wife of gangster Hashim Baba, was arrested in Delhi for possessing 270 grams of heroin, valued at about Rs 1 crore. She had eluded law enforcement for years while managing her husband’s criminal operations, akin to Haseena Parkar’s role under Dawood Ibrahim. Despite her public persona of luxury and high-profile socializing, Zoya was deeply involved in extortion and drug trafficking. The police finally captured her after years of investigation, suspecting her involvement in multiple crimes, including providing shelter to shooters linked to a high-profile murder. Zoya’s family has a history of criminal activities, further entrenching her in this lifestyle.
New Delhi:
For years, she remained elusive. However, the law has finally apprehended the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi. Zoya Khan, spouse of infamous gangster Hashim Baba, was taken into custody for possessing 270 grams of heroin, valued at around Rs 1 crore in the international market.
Zoya, aged 33, had long been under the watchful eye of law enforcement but consistently stayed a few steps ahead. She oversaw her incarcerated husband’s criminal enterprise by managing his gang while ensuring no direct evidence could implicate her in illegal endeavors. Although suspicions about her involvement persisted, the police had been unable to construct a robust case—until now.
Hashim Baba has numerous charges against him, including murder, extortion, and arms trafficking. Zoya Khan is his third wife. Before tying the knot with Hashim Baba in 2017, Zoya was previously married to another individual. Post-divorce, she crossed paths with Baba since they were neighbors in North East Delhi, where their romance blossomed.
Empire Of Crime
Following Baba’s imprisonment, Zoya took charge of the gang’s operations. Sources indicate that Zoya’s role within her husband’s gang was akin to that of Haseena Parkar, sister of underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, who once oversaw his illicit businesses. Inside sources from the Delhi Police Special Cell suggest that Zoya was significantly involved in orchestrating extortion and drug distribution.
Unlike a conventional crime boss, Zoya cultivated a specific public persona. She attended elite gatherings, showcased designer apparel, and indulged in high-end brands—traits that are apparent in her social media presence, where she boasts a substantial following.
Zoya often visited her husband at Tihar Jail. Police sources claim that Baba instructed her in coded language, offering strategies and guidance on managing the gang’s finances and operations. She also maintained direct communication with his associates outside the prison and other criminals.
For years, the Special Cell and Crime Branch of the Delhi Police faced challenges in apprehending her. This time, however, the Special Cell achieved success. Acting on intelligence, police arrested Zoya in the Welcome area of North East Delhi. She was captured in the act with a significant amount of heroin, reportedly sourced from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh for distribution.
The police suspect that Zoya also harbored shooters implicated in the Nadir Shah murder case. Mr. Shah was a gym owner in the upscale Greater Kailash-1 area of South Delhi and was fatally shot in September 2024. Last month, she was questioned at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell regarding the shooting.
Family Background
For Zoya, crime is a familial affair. Her mother was imprisoned in 2024 due to her alleged involvement in a sex trafficking syndicate but is currently on bail. Her father had connections to drug trafficking networks. Zoya herself operated from various locations in North East Delhi, primarily Usmanpur, often flanked by 4-5 armed loyalists of her gangster husband.
The North East Delhi area has historically been linked with criminal organizations, including the Chhenu gang, the Hashim Baba gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang, among others. Initially focused on drug trafficking, these groups’ rivalries have led to a series of violent homicides since 2007.
Baba’s gang generated substantial extortion profits, much of which was funneled to Zoya.
Links To Lawrence Bishnoi
Baba’s name emerged in connection with the Nadir Shah murder case last year. While incarcerated in Tihar Jail, he purportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and implicated Lawrence Bishnoi—another imprisoned gangster commanding a vast network of shooters, linked to the assassination of musician Sidhu Moose Wala and a shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s home in Mumbai.
According to law enforcement, Baba and Bishnoi formed connections during Baba’s imprisonment in 2021. Despite being housed in separate facilities, they kept in touch through illicit phone lines and video calls, coordinating their criminal activities from behind bars.