Goregaon, Mumbai – A Goregaon couple, believed to be the masterminds behind a sprawling home-based drug distribution network, have reportedly fled their residence after transferring approximately Rs 174 crore out of the alleged Rs 300 crore drug money to multiple accounts. Police authorities have noted significant withdrawals totaling Rs 96 lakh from their accounts on Thursday and Friday alone. In response, the Madhya Pradesh police, who had issued summons to the duo, have now issued a look-out notice against them.
The incident has ignited a major political controversy in the area, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) leaders, including a local MLA and corporator, staging a protest outside the couple’s associated school.
Earlier, a Mira Road resident, identified as Nissar Zuber Khan, was apprehended by the couple with MD drugs worth Rs 17 lakh. This followed by the previous report on the couple, Shivani Mehta and her husband Ashish Kumar Shailesh Mehta, who are known as digital currency enthusiasts and businesspeople and are accused of operating a drug distribution network from their upscale residence in Goregaon.
The Khaniyadhana police in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, initiated an investigation after Khan, who was associated with the Mehtas, was caught in possession of 142 grams of MD drugs worth Rs 17 lakh. The police also seized a silver Santro in connection with the case.
During interrogation, Khan disclosed that he worked as a courier for the Mehtas and was called to their Oberoi Esquire residence on June 6, where Ashish Mehta handed him the parcel that was later seized by the police. The delivery was intended for Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. Khan further revealed that he received a new mobile phone and SIM card for each assignment, with instructions to destroy them after completing the delivery.
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On June 11, the Khaniyadhana police, accompanied by Khan, traveled to Mumbai and, with assistance from the Aarey police, reached the Mehtas’ Oberoi Esquire residence. The couple was summoned to the police station for an identification parade, during which they were recognized from a lineup.
“The Mehtas appeared at the police station accompanied by their lawyer, who claimed that they have been framed and requested time to present evidence,” revealed a source.
Ashish Mehta provided a cell phone number that was later found to be switched off. Despite numerous attempts to contact him, there was no response. Consequently, their names were included in the FIR on Wednesday, as stated by Dhanendra Singh Bhadoria, Station House Officer of Khaniyadhana police station.
A team of around eight policemen, led by Bhadoria, has arrived in Mumbai in pursuit of the Mehtas. Upon visiting their residence on Friday morning, the police found the main door locked. The driver informed them that the couple had left the previous evening, instructing him not to return.
Further investigation by the police revealed that the Mehtas were aware of the impending visit and had provided fake contact details and names to the society’s security staff.
Based on mobile phone records, the police traced Ashish Mehta’s bank account details with a reputed bank branch in Andheri East. It was discovered that the accused had been continuously transferring funds from his account, with approximately Rs 70 lakh transferred on Thursday and Rs 26 lakh on Friday. By late Friday, the remaining balance from the alleged Rs 300 crore drug money was Rs 126 crore.
“We will now question the account holders receiving these transfers. A look-out notice has been issued against the couple,” Bhadoria added.
Advocate Vishal Saxxenaa explained why an arrest had not been made, stating, “Section 42 of the NDPS Act grants power to officers for entry, search, seizure, and arrest without a warrant or authorization. However, possession of the narcotics substance is crucial. The section empowers the officer to make an arrest only when there is reasonable belief that the suspect is in possession of the drug or any material or document that may serve as evidence of the offense. In the present case, if possession of such an article is not found, the police can only request the suspect to appear for investigation and cannot make an arrest without a warrant.”
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain determined to apprehend the accused couple and bring them to justice.
