Zoya Khan, infamously known as the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi, was arrested in the Welcome area of North East Delhi for possessing 270 grams of heroin worth approximately Rs 1 crore in the international market. Khan, the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba, had been running his criminal empire while he remained behind bars.
Long-Evading Arrest
For years, Zoya Khan, 33, managed to elude law enforcement despite being on their radar. She meticulously operated her husband’s gang without leaving direct evidence linking her to illegal activities. However, the Delhi Police Special Cell finally managed to nab her, acting on intelligence that led to her arrest.
Her husband, Hashim Baba, is a notorious gangster facing multiple charges, including murder, extortion, and arms smuggling. Zoya, his third wife, took over the gang’s operations after his incarceration. She was reportedly trained by Baba himself, who used coded language during his visits and communications from Tihar Jail to instruct her on managing their illicit businesses.
Empire of Crime
Zoya’s role in the underworld has been compared to Haseena Parkar, the sister of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. She was deeply involved in extortion and drug trafficking, sources say. She also lived a life of luxury, attending high-profile parties, flaunting expensive fashion brands, and maintaining an influential presence on social media.
According to police sources, she actively coordinated with criminals outside prison and managed the gang’s finances. She also allegedly provided shelter to shooters involved in the high-profile Nadir Shah murder case.
Criminal Ties and Family Background
Crime ran in Zoya’s family. Her mother was jailed in 2024 for alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring, though she is currently out on bail. Her father had links to drug supply networks. Zoya operated mainly from Usmanpur in North East Delhi, constantly surrounded by armed henchmen loyal to her husband.
The region has long been associated with organized crime, housing gangs such as the Chhenu gang, the Hashim Baba gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang. These groups initially focused on drug trafficking but later became embroiled in violent turf wars.
Links to Lawrence Bishnoi
Hashim Baba’s criminal activities reportedly extended beyond his own gang. His name surfaced in the Nadir Shah murder case, where he allegedly admitted to having ties with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi is a key suspect in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence.
Police investigations revealed that Baba and Bishnoi maintained communication through illegal phone lines and video calls, despite being held in different jails. Their alliance allowed them to coordinate criminal activities across multiple cities.
Final Crackdown
Zoya Khan’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough for Delhi Police in dismantling the operations of Hashim Baba’s gang. Authorities are now probing her financial transactions, possible links to other criminal networks, and her involvement in previous violent crimes.
Sources By Agencies
