Beauty, blood and Bishnoi links: Arrest of ‘Madam Zeher’ opens can of worms in Delhi’s drug underworld
Times of India
by TOI CITY DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Khusnuma Ansari, known as "Madam Zeher" or Neha, an alleged accomplice of Mahfuz "Bobby Kabootar." Investigators claim she operated a beauty parlour in northeast Delhi as a front for her involvement in a drug distribution network linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hashim Baba gang. During her arrest near the Mahipalpur flyover, police recovered a significant quantity of drugs, further cementing her reputation as a key player in the city's drug underworld.
Ansari's seven-year association with Bobby Kabootar and her role in managing a drug syndicate highlight the growing influence of women in gang activities. Her arrest follows the recent case of Zikra, another woman implicated in the stabbing death of a 17-year-old boy in Seelampur. Zikra, who previously worked as a bouncer for Hashim Baba's wife, is accused of instigating the attack and has been linked to the Shoaib-Mastan gang.
The arrest of Ansari and Zikra underscores a concerning trend: women are increasingly playing central roles in criminal activities, either as conspirators or operational leaders. This pattern is evident in other cases, such as Kajal Khatri, known as the "lady don," who was arrested in connection with the murder of an Air India employee in Noida. These cases highlight the interconnectedness of gang networks and their ability to adapt by involving women in key roles.
The ongoing investigations also tie into high-profile cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and a shooting incident at actor Disha Patani's residence. These links suggest that Ansari's arrest is part of a broader effort to dismantle the Bishnoi-Hashim Baba network, which has long operated in Delhi-NCR.
The emerging pattern of women's involvement in gang activity adds a new layer of complexity for law enforcement. As seen with
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026