Actor Siddhanth Kapoor Questioned in ₹252-Crore Narcotics Case as Police Trace the Origins of a Pan-India Drug Empire
In a significant development in the sprawling ₹252-crore narcotics investigation, actor Siddhanth Kapoor appeared before the Mumbai Police on Tuesday to record his statement.
His name surfaced during the interrogation of Mohammad Salim Shaikh, alias Lavish, an alleged high-volume mephedrone supplier recently deported from Dubai.
The Origin: A Drug Empire That Spanned States
The case traces back to the Sangli mephedrone seizure, one of the largest narcotics hauls in Maharashtra’s history. In 2023–24, investigators began unravelling a sophisticated network responsible for manufacturing and distributing mephedrone (MD) across at least seven states.
At the centre of this network, according to police, was underworld-linked drug trafficker Salim Dola.
Lavish—described by officers as Dola’s right-hand man—allegedly supervised multiple MD manufacturing units in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan.
The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) intensified its pursuit of the cartel after intercepting large consignments, eventually leading to Lavish’s deportation from Dubai in October.
Earlier this year, police successfully secured the deportation of Dola’s so,n Taher and nephew Mustafa Kubbawala, tightening the net around the family-run narcotics syndicate.
Sources say Dola himself has moved from the UAE to Turkey, where he is believed to be hiding as international agencies coordinate efforts to track him down.
Why Siddhanth Kapoor Was Summoned
During Lavish’s interrogation, he named several public figures—claiming they attended parties where drugs were supplied.
Siddhanth Kapoor’s name was among those mentioned, prompting police to issue a formal summons.
An officer confirmed: He appeared before us on Tuesday morning. His statement is being recorded. At this stage, we are only verifying Lavish’s claims.”
Police emphasised that no one has been named an accused based solely on Lavish’s statements.
The ANC will decide the legal status of each individual only after examining all evidence, digital records, and testimonies.
Other Names in the Spotlight
Lavish’s claims also dragged in high-profile names such as Nora Fatehi and influencer Orhan Awatramani (Orry).
Orry, who earlier cited travel commitments, is scheduled to appear on Wednesday.
Nora Fatehi, in a strong social media post, condemned attempts to link her name to the case, warning against defamation and sensationalism.
Who Is Siddhanth Kapoor?
Actor Siddhanth Kapoor, born into one of Bollywood’s well-known film families, is the son of veteran actor Shakti Kapoor and brother of actress Shraddha Kapoor.
A graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Siddhanth initially began his career behind the camera, working as an assistant director on films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Chup Chup Ke, and Dhol.
He later transitioned to acting, appearing in movies such as:
- Shootout at Wadala
- Ugly (Anurag Kashyap’s acclaimed noir drama)
- Haseena Parkar, where he starred alongside his sister
Known to keep a relatively low public profile, Siddhanth has been involved in a few controversies, apart from a 2022 Bengaluru event where he was detained after consuming drugs at a party—a charge he later denied, stating he was unaware of the substance.
The Road Ahead
For now, police stress that the summons issued to Siddhanth and others is procedural. They aim to corroborate every detail provided by Lavish as they piece together the true scale and operations of the mephedrone network.
As investigators continue to chase leads—both domestically and internationally—the ₹252-crore case has expanded into a narrative of cartel hierarchy, cross-border movement, celebrity links, and the growing footprint of synthetic drugs in India.
The next steps in the investigation will determine whether these high-profile names remain witnesses, persons of interest, or become accused in one of the country’s most high-stakes narcotics crackdowns.
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