New Delhi:

For years, she stayed untouchable. But the law finally caught up with the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi. Zoya Khan, the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba, was arrested for possessing 270 grams of heroin, worth approximately Rs 1 crore in the international market. 

Zoya, 33, had long been on the radar of law enforcement but always managed to stay a few steps ahead. She managed her jailed husband’s criminal empire by running his gang while ensuring that no direct evidence could link her to illegal activities. Despite suspicions about her role, the police had never been able to build a solid case — until now.

Hashim Baba has dozens of cases against him, ranging from murder and extortion to arms smuggling. Zoya Khan is his third wife. Before marrying Hashim Baba in 2017, Zoya was married to another man. After her divorce, she came into contact with Baba. The two were neighbours in North East Delhi where they fell in love. 

Empire Of Crime

After Baba was jailed, Zoya took over the gang’s operations. According to sources, Zoya’s role in her husband’s gang was that of Haseena Parkar, the sister of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who once controlled his illegal businesses. Sources in the Delhi Police Special Cell say that Zoya was deeply involved in managing extortion and drug supply.

Unlike a typical crime boss, Zoya maintained a certain image. She attended high-profile parties, flaunted expensive clothes, and indulged in luxury brands – details evident from her social media presence where she enjoys a large following. 

Zoya frequently visited her husband in Tihar Jail. Police sources say Baba trained her in coded language, giving her tips and advice on how to manage the gang’s finances and operations. She also maintained direct contact with his associates outside prison, as well as with other criminals.

For years, the Special Cell and Crime Branch of the Delhi Police struggled to catch her. This time, however, the Special Cell succeeded. Acting on intelligence, the police arrested Zoya in the Welcome area of North East Delhi. She was caught red-handed with a large quantity of heroin, allegedly sourced from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar for further distribution.

The police suspect that Zoya also provided shelter to shooters involved in the Nadir Shah murder case. Mr Shah, a gym owner in South Delhi’s posh Greater Kailash-1 area, was shot dead in September 2024. Last month, she was interrogated at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell in connection with the shooting. 

Family Background 

For Zoya, crime is a family enterprise. Her mother was jailed in 2024 for her alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring. She is currently out on bail. Her father was linked to drug supply networks. Zoya herself operated from different locations in North East Delhi, particularly Usmanpur, always surrounded by 4-5 armed henchmen –loyalists of her gangster husband. 

The North East Delhi region has long been associated with criminal gangs, including the Chhenu gang, the Hashim Baba gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang, among others. While these groups initially focused on drug trafficking, their conflicts have resulted in a series of violent murders after 2007.

Baba’s gang amassed massive extortion revenue, much of which was funnelled to Zoya. 

Links To Lawrence Bishnoi

Baba’s name surfaced in the Nadir Shah murder case last year. While in Tihar Jail, he allegedly confessed to his role in the killing and implicated Lawrence Bishnoi – another jailed gangster who runs a massive network of shooters, involved in the murder of musician Sidhu Moose Wala and the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence. 

According to the police, Baba and Bishnoi developed ties during the former’s imprisonment in 2021. Despite being held in separate jails, they maintained contact through illicit phone lines and video calls, coordinating criminal activities from behind bars.

New Delhi:

Four persons allegedly killed a 26-year-old man in east Delhi’s Ghazipur area on Tuesday using bricks and stones, police said.

All four men were arrested while they were trying to flee Delhi, they said.

The accused and the victim allegedly had a dispute and they had a quarrel some days ago, they added.

According to police, on Tuesday, they received information of a murder in Ghazipur area. After reaching the spot, police found a body. The victim was identified as Deen Dayal alias Pawan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Abhishek Dhania said.

Eyewitness Ankit said that Pawan was killed by Rahul Thakur (23), Irfan (24), Sandeep (24), Nikhil Gautam (25) and two others by using bricks and stones. Police said that the two parties had some differences, the DCP said.

Police caught the four assailants and recovered the weapon of crime — a blood-stained brick — and a blood-stained cloth from them, he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The 30-year-old constable was killed allegedly after he rebuked two people for drinking on the road in outer Delhi, police said on Tuesday.

According to the 400-page chargesheet, Sandeep Malik was performing his night duty in civil clothes on September 29 when he spotted Dharmender (39) and Rajnish (25) drinking in a car in the Nangloi area.

An official, citing the chargesheet, said that when Sandeep Malik rebuked the accused, an argument broke out between them. They rammed their vehicle into Sandeep Malik’s bike, dragging it for 10 meters.

Following this, Sandeep suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to a hospital by the other policemen. Doctors declared him dead on arrival, officials said. The incident was captured on the CCTV camera, around 2.15 am.

A 400-page chargesheet was filed at Tis Hazari court on December 27.

The police in its chargesheet have made two people – Dharmender and Rajnish the main accused while two others – Jitender alias Jeetu and Manoj Shareman — were named for harbouring Dharmender.

Both Dharmender and Rajnish were arrested.

A senior officer said that the police have made a watertight chargesheet to ensure justice for the constable and his family.

Delhi Police had registered an FIR under sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions, 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 103 (murder), 249 (harbouring offender) and 3(5)(acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Nangloi police station.

The investigations revealed that the accused were known to Sandeep Malik as he was a resident of the same locality at Veena Enclave in Nagloi. A native of Haryana’s Rohtak, Sandeep Malik lived with two other police constables in a rented accommodation, police said. Dharmender had borrowed the car from his friend Amit, whose statement has also been added to the chargesheet.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The 30-year-old constable was killed allegedly after he rebuked two people for drinking on the road in outer Delhi, police said on Tuesday.

According to the 400-page chargesheet, Sandeep Malik was performing his night duty in civil clothes on September 29 when he spotted Dharmender (39) and Rajnish (25) drinking in a car in the Nangloi area.

An official, citing the chargesheet, said that when Sandeep Malik rebuked the accused, an argument broke out between them. They rammed their vehicle into Sandeep Malik’s bike, dragging it for 10 meters.

Following this, Sandeep suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to a hospital by the other policemen. Doctors declared him dead on arrival, officials said. The incident was captured on the CCTV camera, around 2.15 am.

A 400-page chargesheet was filed at Tis Hazari court on December 27.

The police in its chargesheet have made two people – Dharmender and Rajnish the main accused while two others – Jitender alias Jeetu and Manoj Shareman — were named for harbouring Dharmender.

Both Dharmender and Rajnish were arrested.

A senior officer said that the police have made a watertight chargesheet to ensure justice for the constable and his family.

Delhi Police had registered an FIR under sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions, 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 103 (murder), 249 (harbouring offender) and 3(5)(acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Nangloi police station.

The investigations revealed that the accused were known to Sandeep Malik as he was a resident of the same locality at Veena Enclave in Nagloi. A native of Haryana’s Rohtak, Sandeep Malik lived with two other police constables in a rented accommodation, police said. Dharmender had borrowed the car from his friend Amit, whose statement has also been added to the chargesheet.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A worker at a food outlet in east Delhi’s Preet Vihar was killed in a fight with a colleague early Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred at a food corner owned by one Tripta Rastogi, they said.

According to police, they received a PCR call from Rastogi that two of her employees, Suraj and Prakash around 2 am got into a fight during which Suraj reportedly struck Prakash on the head with a dumbbell and fled.

Rastogi rushed to the restaurant and found Prakash bleeding profusely. She rushed him to a nearby clinic and from there to Hedgewar Hospital where he was declared dead.

“We have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the accused and further investigation has been launched. A crime team inspected the scene, recovering the alleged weapon used in the attack,” a senior police officer said.

Police said some employees stayed overnight at the eatery, and the fight broke out over a “trivial matter.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

One person was killed and two others were injured when three men on a motorcycle opened fire on three friends returning home on a scooter last night in the Kabir Nagar area of North East Delhi. 

Nadeem and his two companions were en route to pick up food when the attackers ambushed them on a street. Nadeem was fatally shot, while his friend sustained serious injuries. The attackers fired seven rounds, before fleeing the scene with Nadeem’s scooter and mobile phone, leaving behind their own motorcycle.

Locals rushed to the scene and took the injured to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where Nadeem died of his injuries. His companion, whose condition remains critical, is still undergoing treatment. The police have initiated a murder and attempted murder investigation, and the body has been sent for post-mortem.

The police have arrested three minors in connection with the incident. According to sources, one of the three arrested minors had reportedly borrowed money from Nadeem and had been pressured for repayment. Police investigations are ongoing, with authorities examining CCTV footage.

The attackers are also linked to a firing incident in nearby Jyoti Nagar. Police say the same group was involved in firing six rounds outside a man named Rahul’s house earlier that night. The three juveniles, arrested with three country-made pistols, are in custody, and interrogations are underway.

In a separate operation, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested two key members of an arms supply syndicate, seizing 13 pistols. Shakeel, the main arms supplier, has been cahrged in over 17 criminal cases, including involvement in the Hanuman Jayanti riots in Jahangirpuri. More than 50 pistols have been recovered from various suppliers in the last week alone.

New Delhi:

A shocking incident in which 2 boys allegedly harassed and threatened a woman and her son with knives in Delhi’s Raj Park area has gone viral on social media after video footage of the incident was posted online.

In the video, two boys are seen surrounding a woman and her son, with one boy pulling out a long weapon from his waist and threatening to kill her. The boy is seen trying to attack the woman with a long knife, pulling it back and swinging it towards the woman at least twice. Another boy, wearing a cap, also joins in later, brandishing a knife.

A crowd is also seen witnessing the entire incident, with a few bystanders intervening to try and control the boys by pulling them away from the woman.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 22, with the video emerging on social media yesterday, say officials.

The viral video has prompted Delhi Police to register a case and intensify the search for the accused boys. “We have received a complaint and are investigating the matter based on the viral video,” a police spokesperson said.

Nearby residents are concerned about safety and law and order in the area, with many calling for swift action against the perpetrators.

Delhi Police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the accused to come forward and assist in the undergoing probe.

New Delhi:

The government issued guidelines on the regulation of coaching centers in January this year, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed Lok Sabha on Monday, even as he evaded a direct reply to a question on the death of three IAS aspirants in Delhi due to flooding.  

During the Question Hour, Congress MP KC Venugopal mentioned the death of the three students and said the institute had no approved building.  

“Without an approved building, without any facility, some of the coaching centers become mafia… is the government going to take any action?” he said.  Mr Venugopal also raised concerns about students’ suicides.

Quoting information provided by the ministry in an earlier written reply, he said that between 2018-2022, around 80 students committed suicide in top-ranking institutions like IITs and IIMs, adding that caste discrimination is a major reason behind it.  In his response, Mr Pradhan said, “The member has raised a question which is not related to the question put today.”

“But I like to assure the House through you, this government is committed to total socio-psychological and mental protection of all students, whether they are studying in a coaching center, in an institution, school education or higher education,” he said.  

He said exhaustive and detailed guidelines on coaching centers were issued to all states in January, 2024.

“Some states also have regulations, like Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa. They have their own regulations to look into the matter,” he said.  

“Regarding the protection, this is a socio-psychological issue. We all have to take care. This is not an issue to be dealt with through only allegations and answers,” he said.

Three civil services aspirants died on Saturday after the basement of a building housing a coaching centre in central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar area was flooded following heavy rains.

In his reply to another question, Mr Pradhan dismissed that India was witnessing “brain-drain” with students going abroad for higher education. The students who go outside have made the country proud, he said.

TMC MP Saugata Roy asked if the number of students going abroad is increasing. He said good quality higher education not being available in India was the reason behind the “brain-drain”.  

The education minister asserted the intelligence of Indian students should not be criticised for political reasons, and also said there is no dearth of high quality education institutions in the country.  

He named Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe Systems CEO Shantanu Narayen, and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna among those who came out of the Indian education system. India is proud of them, he said.

“Go to any economic hotspot, Indians are thriving there… We grow due to this connectivity. The globe is shrinking into a village. Depriving our next generation of the good standards of the world is wrong,” he said.  Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, however, said that the top institutions named by the minister are like just a “few islands of excellence in a vast ocean of mediocrity”, and improvement is required.  

Mr Pradhan in reply said he is open to suggestions, and added that the government is stressing on quality education, and there are ranking systems to evaluate it.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The death of three civil service aspirants at a Delhi coaching centre has sent a shockwave across the city, especially within the student community. One such student, has reached out to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, seeking immediate action into those responsible for the death of 3 UPSC aspirants in Rajinder Nagar after the basement of their coaching centre was flooded.

Avinash Dubey, a UPSC aspirant himself, has written a letter to the CJI demanding action against city officials and others responsible for the deaths. He also requested DY Chandrachud to direct the Delhi government and civic body MCD to take appropriate steps to tackle the waterlogging issue.

Here is the full text of the letter Avinash Dubey wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud over the three deaths at a Delhi coaching centre:

Respected Chief Justice Supreme Court of India

Subject – To protect our fundamental rights

Sir, I am Avinash Dubey who is staying in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar and preparing for civil services. Yesterday, on 27 July 2024, 3 of our student mates who were preparing for Civil Services in a coaching institute in Old Rajendra Nagar lost their lives in an unfortunate manner without any fault of theirs. It has come to light that some students were taking coaching in the basement of a coaching institute. Due to rain, the basement was flooded and the 3 students lost their lives after getting trapped there. Sir, areas like Mukherjee Nagar, Old Rajendra Nagar of Delhi have been facing the problem of waterlogging every year due to the apathy of the municipality here. Due to lack of cleanliness, the drain water reaches the main road and sometimes even enters houses. We have to walk through knee-deep drain water. Sir, due to the indifference of the municipality and the Delhi government, today students like us are living a hell-like life for our preparation. Students like us are moving towards our goals by whatever means we can. But, yesterday’s incident has proved that the lives of students are not safe. Delhi government and municipality have made us helpless just like insects. Sir, it is our fundamental right to study while living a healthy life, unfortunately the Delhi government and municipality are completely indifferent to it due to which the lives of students like us are in danger. The above incident is extremely heartbreaking and worrying. Due to waterlogging, there is a serious threat to the safety and health of the students studying in the centre. In such a situation, there is a need for students to get a safe and healthy environment, so that they can continue their studies without any fear and can contribute to the progress of the country in the near future. Keeping in mind the interests of the students, it is necessary that the concerned authorities take immediate effective steps and provide a permanent solution to the problem of waterlogging. Apart from this, there is also a need to strengthen emergency services and security measures at the coaching centre. Proper evacuation routes, first aid facilities and regular sanitation arrangements should be ensured for the students. Keeping in mind the concerns of parents and guardians of students, coaching centers should get regular structural inspections done and be prepared to deal with problems like waterlogging. The future and lives of students are extremely valuable, and keeping them safe from such incidents should be our priority. Therefore, you are respectfully requested to protect the lives and fundamental rights of students like us and please order appropriate action against those responsible for the death of our 3 student brothers.

New Delhi:

A 30-year-old female graphic designer and a henchman, who she had hired to burn the face of her ex-boyfriend, have been arrested in outer Delhi’s Nihal Vihar area, an officer said on Monday.

The woman wanted to take revenge from her ex-boyfriend and colleague for jilting her and getting engaged to someone else, the officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram said Omkar, 24, who is also a graphic designer, was attacked by three people in Ranhola area on June 19.

The three came on a motorcycle and attacked him with a knife, cut him at several places, he said.

Police pulled the CCTV camera footage of the area and the call details of Omkar to zero in on the woman and the three attackers.

On June 23, based on a secret input, a trap was laid near Dwarka Mor and one of the suspects, Vikash, was arrested, Chiram said.

During interrogation, Vikash revealed that he, along with Harsh alias Bali and Rohan, had attacked Omkar with a knife.

He also disclosed the hideout of the woman at whose behest they carried out the attack.

The woman, whose name was withheld by police and lives near Tilak Nagar Metro Station, was held from Nihal Vihar, he said.

The woman revealed that she and Omkar both were colleagues and had been having an affair for the last three years.

She became infuriated when he became engaged to some other woman and hired the three men for Rs 30,000 to carry out an acid attack and also gave them a bottle filled with acid, police said.

The woman also alleged the victim threatened to upload her private pictures online when she objected to his engagement, the DCP said.

According to the plan, the men contracted were supposed to throw acid at Omkar’s face, but couldn’t and had to decamp after knifing him, he said.

A hunt is on for two other accused, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)