Bollywood figures named in investigation of alleged Dawood-linked drug syndicate

SHAH ALAM - Several names of Bollywood actors and politicians have allegedly surfaced in the Mumbai Police’s ongoing probe into a drug syndicate tied to underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

According to weekly Indian English-language news magazine India Today, revelations come after the Mumbai Police Anti-Narcotics Cell allegedly busted a major mephedrone network run by wanted drug trafficker Salim Dola, believed to be a close associate of the underworld don.

Investigators claimed that Salim allegedly operated the syndicate from Dubai, supplying mephedrone, also known as M-Cat, Meow Meow and Ice, to multiple Indian states while smuggling large quantities abroad.

Confidential documents allegedly accessed by India Today showed that Salim's son, Taher, extradited from the United Arab Emirates in August, gave key information linking several well-known personalities to drug parties organised in India and overseas.

According to the remand note cited by the magazine, Taher allegedly said he had organised drug-fuelled gatherings attended by Bollywood actors, models, rappers, filmmakers and relatives of Dawood.

"The accused has previously organised drug parties in the country and abroad with Alisha Parkar, Nora Fatehi, Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddharth Kapoor, Zishan Siddiqui, Ori alias Orhan, Abbas Mastaan, Loka and many other people and has himself joined in them and is supplying drugs to these and other people," the document stated.

The syndicate was now being probed not only by the Mumbai Police but also by the Enforcement Directorate and the Mumbai Crime Branch.

Officials said more actors, rappers and filmmakers will allegedly be summoned for statements in the coming days, with further action possible depending on the findings.

As the investigation deepened, more names from the entertainment and political spheres were expected to emerge, widening the scope of an already explosive case.