On March 24, 2024, a team from the Mumbai Crime Branch busted a factory in Sangli, located over 350 km from Mumbai city, allegedly leading to seizure worth Rs 253 crore of 122 kg of high-quality mephedrone, cash, gold ornaments and a car. Six people were arrested.
The Sangli factory was also being looked at by the Anti Narcotics Cell, as part of a lesser-known, 2022 case, in which it had made two arrests.
Now, officers believe that the 2022 case trail leads to Bollywood, with summons issued so far by the Anti Narcotics Cell to thespian Shakti Kapoor’s son Siddhanth Kapoor and Orhan Awatramani, a social media influencer and a friend to the stars better known as Orry.
Earlier, police had secured deportation from the UAE of at least three persons, including the son of alleged drug lord Salim Dola, who is believed to take care of the narcotics business of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. According to sources, summons are being issued now based on claims of one of the deported, Mohammad Sohail Shaikh alias ‘Lavish’, that he organised “drug parties” in India as well as abroad, attended by celebrities, where their cartel supplied the narcotics.
While Siddhanth appeared before the Anti Narcotics Cell Tuesday, Orry is expected to do so on Wednesday, having skipped the summons issued to him last week saying he was not in the city.
Other celebrities, including Siddhanth’s sister, as well as some politicians were mentioned by police before court while seeking further remand of Lavish, on November 13. Police said: “Further investigation into the said accused No. 05 (Lavish) has revealed that he is organizing drug parties in the country and abroad and supplying drugs to those parties.” Police then went on to mention some celebrities, saying these had been named by Lavish.
After her name was mentioned in the police remand application, Nora Fatehi posted on social media platform, “I DON’T go to Parties… I’m constantly on flights… I’m a workaholic, I don’t have a personal life… It seems like my name is an easy target! But I won’t allow it to happen…!”
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An officer said, “We will be calling those named by ‘Lavish’ to record their statement in light of the grave allegations by the accused. The next course of action will depend on the evidence that is found.”
The 2022 case
As per the remand report submitted by police on November 13, the Ghatkopar unit of the Anti Narcotics Cell started an investigation on August 4, 2022, following the arrest of one Mohammad Shahrukh Shaikh (28), allegedly with 995 gram of mephedrone worth Rs 1 lakh on him, and more at his home.
Police said they found that Shaikh had made a passport using forged documents to go to Dubai, and to meet the man believed to be the head of the drug cartel. During investigation, police arrested two other people, Fazle Siddique and Mohammad Gulfaraz Shaikh, for allegedly being part of the network supplying mephedrone to Mumbai. A chargesheet was filed in the case.
A non-bailable warrant was issued against another wanted accused in the case, Salman Salim Shaikh alias Shera, who was suspected to be holed up in Dubai. Eventually, on November 2 this year, police secured his deportation from Dubai, and the Anti Narcotics Cell arrested him.
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Police claimed that Shera had confessed to working for Salim Dola, and said they had extracted two deleted screenshots from his phone which showed instructions to him on what equipment and chemicals to use to manufacture mephedrone.
Shera allegedly also identified Lavish and Salim Dola, apart from a ‘Ray’, as those who had arranged the mephedrone seized in 2022.
Ray was later identified as Mohammad Mustafa, who along with an accomplice named Govind, allegedly procured drugs from a Sangli-based factory and provided it to local drug peddlers in Mumbai for selling.
In 2024, the Sangli factory was busted by the Crime Branch. On November 5, the Anti Narcotics Cell took custody of Lavish. In custody, he is alleged to have sung, mentioning the “drug parties” organised by the Dola cartel.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
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