Crime
Head of Dawood’s Drug Empire arrested; Sold Drugs through Food Delivery Agents
Mumbai police’s crime branch apprehended Aliasgar Shirazi, an associate of global narcotics kingpin Kailash Rajput, at Sahar International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday. Shirazi was apprehended while attempting to flee to Dubai.
Shirazi wanted in several drugs-related cases, had invested in Hustlers Hospitality
He was wanted in several cases of drug manufacture, production, trafficking, and distribution. He was the founder and Managing Director of Falisha Techno world, which invested ₹30 crores in Hustlers Hospitality to operate cloud kitchen startups. An in-depth investigation by The News Agency revealed an intricate web of front companies set up to channel profits of the narco trade into legitimate business for money laundering. He operated Falisha Venture Capital to invest in new startups and Pan Liner Freight Forwarders for narcotics trafficking in international courier parcels. “Falisha Group is a front for money laundering and drug distribution,” alleged senior crime branch officials.
Aliasgar had made significant investments in cloud kitchen startups with the intention of utilising online food delivery platforms for drug distribution. Senior crime branch officials explained the modus operandi of the narcotics network, stating, “Drug peddlers were provided with specific codes to place online food orders from 15 different brands operating within the same cloud kitchen. This method allowed them to have their preferred drugs delivered by online food aggregators, thus evading detection. The street peddlers then distributed the drugs to retail consumers.”
Big boss actors enlisted by Hustlers Hospitality,
The cloud kitchens were operated by Hustlers Hospitality, in which Aliasgar had invested over ₹30 crores and assumed the role of an additional director alongside promoters Krunal Oza and Dinesh Oza.
Hustlers Hospitality had enlisted a few struggling actors, including Big Boss contestant Abdu Rozik and Shiv Thakare, in an attempt to establish a chain of cafés as a facade for laundering drug money. Cafe Burgiir and Thakare’s Chai & Snacks were among the cafés operated by Aliasgar, serving as a front to expand drug distribution and legitimize the proceeds of narcotics. The two Big Boss contestants received a meager signing amount of ₹25 lakhs and were promised substantial royalties based on sales. The contracts, allegedly signed for ₹25 crore investments in the cafés, operated under the Abdu and Thakare brand names.
Mumbai Police is also investigating the involvement of a Mumbai-based advocate in facilitating the investment of narcotics funds belonging to Kailash Rajput and Aliasgar into Bollywood and fast food cafe chains.
Shirazi, Rajput were held in 2013, fled from India after bail
Aliasgar Shirazi and Kailash Rajput were apprehended by Sameer Wankhede, the Deputy Commissioner of Airport Customs, Air Intelligence Unit, back in 2013 during a seizure of 50 kgs of Meth and Ketamine. However, after obtaining bail, they managed to flee to the UAE initially and then later to Europe. Despite their arrests, the duo continued to operate their vast narcotics trafficking empire, involved in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs as part of the global drug trade.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Aliasgar’s name resurfaced when the Mumbai Police Property Cell discovered a significant drug consignment that was being trafficked through courier parcels. Another drug trafficker, Sajid Badshah Mirza, was apprehended in connection with the case. As a result, a lookout circular (LoC) and an Interpol Red Corner notice were issued for Aliasgar. The authorities were actively seeking his arrest in relation to the drug trafficking investigation.
Rajput involved in laundering drug money into Indian economy
According to another narcotics official, the kingpin of the Dawood drug empire, Kailash Rajput, is involved in laundering drug money into the Indian economy through a network of shell companies and fictitious business entities located in Dubai, UK, USA, Portugal, Australia, and Turkey. These funds are then channeled into various start-ups and venture capital seed funds. Allegedly, several hundred crores of narco money is laundered each week to finance legitimate businesses.
Hustlers Hospitality promoter Krunal Oza refrained from providing any comment regarding the allegations of drug money investments made by Aliasgar in his cloud kitchen business.
Crime
Action in Begusarai gang-rape case escalates; SHO suspended, SIT formed

Patna, June 19: The investigation into the heinous gang-rape and brutalisation of a woman in Bihar’s Begusarai district, that is reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case in the national Capital, intensified on Friday. Senior officials of Bihar Police launched a detailed enquiry into the shocking case and took disciplinary action against the Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan on Friday, for negligence.
The case, which pertains to an incident reported in the Chakia police station area on the night of June 11, gained widespread attention after allegations surfaced that a bullet, piece of wood and a stone were later recovered from the victim’s private parts during medical treatment.
Begusarai Range DIG, Shailesh Kumar Sinha, visited the victim at Sadar Hospital and met her family members to gather information about the horrific crime.
He also reviewed the progress of the investigation with police officials and sought details regarding the action taken so far in the case.
The DIG subsequently held discussions with the medical team, including the Civil Surgeon, and obtained a detailed briefing on the victim’s examination and treatment.
In a significant administrative action, Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan has been suspended.
According to the DIG, preliminary findings indicated negligence in handling the case, prompting departmental action against SHO Rajiv Ranjan.
Police have registered an FIR in connection with the case and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and arrest the accused.
Senior officers, including the DIG and district police officials, have inspected the alleged crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials stated that a fresh medical examination has been conducted by a medical Board, and investigators are awaiting the final report, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action.
The police have assured that all accused people involved in the crime will be arrested and brought to justice.
Investigators are examining evidence, recording statements, and verifying all aspects of the case.
Authorities have emphasised that further legal and departmental action will be taken based on the findings of the medical report and the SIT’s investigation.
The case has generated widespread public concern and drawn attention to the handling of crimes against women in Bihar, with senior officials closely monitoring the developments in the case.
According to an official, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chakiya police station on the night of June 11.
The 30-year-old woman had stepped out of her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly intercepted by five men, who forcibly dragged her to a secluded location, tied her hands and legs with her clothes and gang-raped her.
In a show of cruelty and depravity, the rapists inserted a cartridge, wood, and a stone into the hapless woman’s her private parts.
The woman’s family has also accused the local police of failing to respond appropriately and sending them back home when they first attempted to lodge a complaint in the case.
Crime
Delhi Police recovers 168 lost mobiles in 15 days under ‘Operation Vishwas’

New Delhi, June 19: Delhi Police has recovered 168 lost mobile phones in the last 15 days, under ‘Operation Vishwas’, and 88 of these have been handed over to their rightful owners after verification of ownership and completion of necessary formalities, officials said on Friday.
An official statement mentioned that the recovery drive was executed by a dedicated team comprising officials of the Special Staff and designated nodal officers from each police station of the Central District.
The recovered mobile phones had been dispersed across multiple locations and states. Through sustained efforts and effective liaison with local authorities, the police teams successfully traced and recovered devices from various regions, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.
According to the police, the success of the operation was largely driven by meticulous technical analysis and digital tracking. The teams utilised available technological tools and analytical resources to identify the movement and present location of the lost devices. Each lead was thoroughly examined and followed up on, enabling the recovery of mobile phones that had changed hands and crossed jurisdictional boundaries.
Investigators revealed that technical efforts also facilitated the successful unblocking of mobile phones, enabling their restoration and return to their rightful owners. After due verification of ownership and completion of necessary formalities, 88 mobile phones were handed over to their rightful owners.
The recovered mobile phones contained valuable personal data, professional information, financial applications, and irreplaceable memories of people who, upon receiving the lost devices, expressed their appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the police teams.
Delhi Police emphasised that this initiative demonstrates how coordinated teamwork, technical expertise, and persistent field efforts can deliver tangible results in public service.
Earlier, between the period of June 1 and 10, 71 stolen mobile phones were recovered by the Delhi Police, of which 45 have been returned to their rightful owners, officials said last week. The rest of the recovered mobiles are being verified for handover.
Crime
Delhi Police arrests auto-lifter, recovers two stolen vehicles, mobile phones

New Delhi, June 19: In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft and street crime, the East District Police on Friday arrested an auto-lifter and recovered two stolen two-wheelers along with two stolen mobile phones. The arrest has helped police solve four theft cases registered across different police stations in Delhi.
The accused, identified as Rohit alias ‘Pistol’, was apprehended by a team from Police Station Madhu Vihar following a targeted operation based on specific Intelligence inputs. Police said the accused was found to be involved in multiple criminal cases related to robbery, snatching and theft.
According to officials, the operation was carried out as part of the East District Police’s ongoing drive to curb vehicle theft, snatching and other street crimes.
A dedicated team was formed under the supervision of Inspector Sandeep Arya, Acting SHO of Madhu Vihar Police Station, and under the overall guidance of the ACP of Madhu Vihar Sub-Division. The team comprised Head Constables Arun, Sachin Tyagi and Neeraj.
On June 16, while conducting routine patrols in the Madhu Vihar area, the police team received a tip-off from a reliable informer. The informer disclosed that an auto-lifter would arrive near Tarawati Hospital in Joshi Colony to sell a stolen scooter at a heavily discounted price of around Rs 8,000.
Acting swiftly on the information, the police laid a trap near the hospital and kept the area under surveillance. At around 6.30 P.M., a suspect arrived riding a TVS N-Torq scooter without a registration number plate. The police intercepted and apprehended him on the spot.
During questioning, the suspect identified himself as Rohit alias ‘Pistol’, a resident of Mandawali in East Delhi. Verification of the scooter through the ZIPNET database revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Shakarpur area. The scooter was linked to an e-FIR registered on June 15 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During a search of the vehicle, police also recovered two mobile phones. Further verification established that both phones had been reported stolen in separate theft cases registered at Madhu Vihar Police Station earlier this year. The recovered property was seized and the accused was formally arrested.
During sustained interrogation, Rohit allegedly disclosed that he had hidden another stolen motorcycle near the Community Centre in Joshi Colony, Mandawali. Acting on his disclosure, the police team recovered a Yamaha motorcycle from the location.
Subsequent verification confirmed that the motorcycle had been stolen from the Pandav Nagar area and was linked to an e-FIR registered on May 19, 2026. Police said the recovery further strengthened the case against the accused and helped solve another pending vehicle theft case.
The accused was produced before the court on June 17 and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to ascertain his possible involvement in other cases of vehicle theft and street crimes across the city.
Police said Rohit, 27, is a daily wage labourer who studied up to Class 10. Originally from Anna Nagar in Daryaganj, he is currently residing in Mandawali. During the investigation, it emerged that he is a drug addict and a habitual offender with a criminal record.
According to investigators, Rohit primarily targeted parked two-wheelers in different parts of Delhi. To avoid detection, he would remove the registration number plates of stolen vehicles before attempting to sell them at throwaway prices. Police also said he frequently retained or disposed of stolen mobile phones to earn quick money, which was allegedly used to fund his drug addiction and meet daily expenses.
Officials further revealed that the accused has previously been involved in at least four criminal cases related to robbery, snatching and theft registered in Delhi.
The recovered property includes a stolen TVS N-Torq scooter linked to a theft case registered at Shakarpur Police Station, a stolen Yamaha motorcycle linked to a case registered at Pandav Nagar Police Station, and two stolen mobile phones connected with separate cases registered at Madhu Vihar Police Station.
With these recoveries, police have successfully worked out four cases, including two mobile phone theft cases from Madhu Vihar and two vehicle theft cases registered at Shakarpur and Pandav Nagar police stations.
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