Chemist daughter masterminds MD factory in Ratlam:Father Dilawar ran 4-entry drug hub; husband Yakub Gujarat Police’s most wanted

The illegal drug manufacturing unit busted by Ratlam Police late on Thursday night was operating inside a sprawling 20,000 sq ft house in the Chiklana area. Owned by Dilawar Khan, the premises had been designed like a fortified compound, with four separate entry and exit routes and CCTV cameras installed on all sides to monitor movement round the clock. Police investigations have revealed that the house was being used as a full-fledged MD (mephedrone) drug manufacturing factory. Daughter emerged as key mastermind According to investigators, Dilawar Khan’s daughter, Bakhmina, played a crucial role in the operation. Police say she had studied chemistry under her husband, Yakub Khan, and was the key person behind the MD drug formula. She allegedly managed the entire manufacturing process and coordinated the network along with her husband and father. Police further revealed that Bakhmina also handled her husband’s MD supply network in Devaldi, Rajasthan. Her husband, Yakub Khan, is a most-wanted fugitive of the Gujarat Police. He had been absconding for nearly a year and was hiding at his in-laws’ house in Chiklana. He was arrested during the raid. Two nameplates, four escape routes Investigators found that Dilawar Khan had installed two different nameplates outside his house. One identified him as “Division President, All India Scheduled Caste Youth Society” and carried the slogans Jai Bhim and Jai Bharat. The second nameplate described him as a journalist. The house was built with four separate routes to facilitate escape. CCTV cameras were installed at each entry point. Villagers told police they were aware of Dilawar’s illegal activities but were too fearful to lodge complaints. During the police operation, as family members were taken into custody, villagers were heard raising Jai Shri Ram slogans. Raid at 2:30 am, scuffle with police The raid began around 2:30 am on Thursday, with police scaling the compound walls using ladders. Women from the household protested, leading to a brief scuffle with police personnel. Sixteen people have been named as accused, including Dilawar Khan, his wives, sons, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, nephew and servants. Investigation into MD manufacturing and related criminal activities is ongoing. Political background and personal life Dilawar Khan had contested the 2023 Assembly elections from the Javara seat as a candidate of the Azad Samaj Party. Following his arrest, the party has distanced itself from him. Police investigations have also brought to light that the 65-year-old accused had two marriages. His first wife is around 62 years old, while the second wife is 25. He has a one-year-old son from his second marriage. Both wives have been named as accused. Police uniform and Army ID recovered During the raid, police recovered a uniform bearing two stars and an identity card linked to an Indian Army rifle. Authorities are investigating the ownership and purpose of these items. Police said MD drug manufacturing was underway at the time of the raid. On spotting the police, the accused allegedly tried to destroy the drug powder by dissolving it in liquid. The liquid was seized and sent for forensic examination. Criminal history and land-grabbing allegations Villagers and police officials said Dilawar Khan has multiple criminal cases registered against him, though he was acquitted in several. He is also accused of murdering village elder Rughnath Dhakad in 1985–86. Chiklana’s sarpanch representative, Gaddu Singh Chandrawat, said Dilawar had long terrorised the village. Allegations against him include gambling, money lending at exorbitant interest rates, land grabbing, and disrupting religious processions. Several families reportedly left the village due to fear. Vehicles, weapons and drugs seized Police recovered a fleet of luxury vehicles from the premises, including a Scorpio, XUV 700, two Jeeps, a Gujarat-registered Bolero and a tractor. MD drugs were also found inside the Scorpio and XUV 700. Seized items include:
NCB joins investigation Following the raid, a team from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Indore, reached Kalukheda police station and gathered details from local officers. The operation was carried out under the supervision of SP Amit Kumar, with ASP Rakesh Khakha, Rural ASP Vivek Kumar Lal and Jawar SDOP Sandeep Malviya. Police teams from 12 stations were involved. Court production today All accused will be produced in court on January 17. Police will seek remand for further interrogation to trace interstate links. List of accused Those arrested include Dilawar Khan, his sons Azhar and Ayaz, son-in-law Yakub Khan, daughter Bakhmina, nephew Imran, both wives, daughter-in-law, servants and other associates. One minor has also been named as an accused. A case has been registered at Kalukheda police station under Sections 8, 22 and 25 of the NDPS Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act. Police said further questioning will focus on uncovering the full extent of the drug network operating across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.