A Delhi court rejected the bail plea of Zoya Khan alias ‘lady don’, wife of alleged gangster Asim alias Hashim Baba, in connection with the murder of gym owner Nadir Shah, holding that the allegations against her indicate active participation in a larger criminal conspiracy and distinguish her case from co-accused who have secured bail.
According to the order passed on June 9, the prosecution alleges that Zoya Khan played a key role in facilitating the movement and harbouring of the alleged shooters before and after the September 2024 killing of Nadir Shah outside a gym in Greater Kailash.
Investigators have relied on witness statements claiming that she issued telephonic instructions regarding the shooters, informed associates after the murder that the crime had been committed, and asked them to go underground.
The prosecution also cited the recovery of a pistol and five live cartridges from her residence and claimed that call data and internet protocol detail records established her links with key conspirators, including her husband and the alleged shooters.
Opposing the allegations, Zoya Khan argued that her implication was based only on statements of unreliable witnesses, challenged the alleged recovery of the firearm, and sought parity with co-accused who had been granted bail. Her counsel also contended that prolonged incarceration without commencement of trial violated her right to personal liberty.
Rejecting these submissions, the court held that the evidence against Zoya Khan was qualitatively different and more substantial than that against the co-accused released on bail. It observed that the allegations suggested direct involvement in planning, facilitating and covering up the crime, making the principle of parity inapplicable.
The court further noted that the trial has not yet commenced, with forensic reports still awaited and 95 witnesses cited by the prosecution. It expressed concern that releasing the accused at this stage could lead to witness intimidation or absconding, given the alleged organised crime links.
Accordingly, the bail application was dismissed, with the court granting liberty to seek fresh bail if there is a material change in circumstances during the course of the trial.
Gangster-turned businessman Nadir Shah was gunned down in full public view outside a gym in GK in 2024.
