Actor Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddhanth Kapoor have come under the lens of the Mumbai Police as investigators widen their probe into a sprawling ₹252-crore drug trafficking and hawala network allegedly linked to underworld fugitive Dawood Ibrahim. The names of several Bollywood personalities, including Nora Fatehi, social media influencer Orry, filmmaker duo Abbas–Mustan, and late politician Baba Siddiqui’s son Zeeshan Siddiqui, have surfaced during the inquiry, though officials emphasised that the mentions are preliminary and unverified.
The latest revelations emerged after the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) submitted a detailed remand application before the Esplanade Court on Thursday. The document outlines how alleged trafficker Mohammad Salim Mohammad Suhail Shaikh—believed to be close to notorious drug dealer Salim Dola, a key Dawood associate—organised high-profile parties in Mumbai and Dubai, where several Bollywood personalities were reportedly present.
Parties allegedly linked to Dawood’s network
Investigators said that Shaikh, now in custody, hosted extravagant gatherings that were attended by individuals described as close to Dawood Ibrahim’s circle. This included Alishah Parkar, son of Dawood’s late sister Haseena Parkar. In an unexpected coincidence, Shraddha Kapoor had played the role of Haseena Parkar in the 2017 biopic Haseena Parkar.
Officials maintained that Shaikh’s statements are still being verified and may or may not withstand scrutiny. “The investigation is at a preliminary stage. Celebrities will be called for questioning only if required,” a senior police officer said, adding that no summons have been issued yet.
How the probe began
The investigation dates back to August 2022, when the Mumbai Crime Branch and Ghatkopar ANC arrested Worli resident Mohammad Shahrukh Mohammad Shafi Shaikh (28) in Nagpada. Officers recovered mephedrone worth ₹1.19 lakh from him. What initially appeared to be a routine narcotics arrest soon unravelled into a much larger conspiracy.
Subsequent interrogations reportedly led authorities to uncover a multi-city supply chain, hawala transfers routed through Dubai, and links to longtime traffickers associated with Dawood’s syndicate. The financial scale of the operation eventually ballooned to an estimated ₹252 crore, prompting deeper scrutiny and multiple parallel probes by specialized Mumbai Police units.
Bollywood names crop up during interrogation
Sources said the names of Shraddha Kapoor, Siddhanth Kapoor, and others surfaced during Shaikh’s questioning about individuals who attended the parties he organised. Police stressed, however, that being named does not imply involvement, as investigators are still verifying the authenticity of Shaikh’s claims.
Officers added that the presence of high-profile individuals at social gatherings is not illegal unless evidence establishes their participation in drug-related activities. “No one is being accused at this stage,” an ANC official clarified. “Verification is underway, and action will be taken strictly on the basis of evidence.”
Suspected hawala links under scrutiny
Investigators believe Shaikh could be a crucial link in decoding a wider drugs-and-hawala network allegedly connected to major traffickers who have long operated between Mumbai and Dubai. Authorities suspect that proceeds from drug sales were funnelled through informal money transfer systems before being routed overseas.
Sources also indicated that the investigative team is reviewing financial trails, encrypted communication records, and recovered statements from earlier arrests. These may offer clues about the extent of Shaikh’s connections and the level of involvement of other individuals named.
Next steps in the probe
The ANC is expected to conduct more custodial interrogations in the coming days. If necessary, formal summons may be issued to celebrities or any other individuals whose names emerge consistently during the investigation.
For now, police have urged caution, warning against drawing conclusions before the evidence is placed on record. With the investigation expanding across states and potentially across borders, officials say the probe is likely to continue for several weeks.