‘Bigg Boss 16's Abdu Rozik questioned by Enforcement Directorate in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Tajikistani musician Abdu Rozik, a contestant on ‘Bigg Boss’ season 16, for approximately three hours on February 27. This interrogation is part of the agency's money-laundering investigation into the alleged drug syndicate involving Aliasgar Shirazi and others. Rozik provided his statement as a witness in the case after arriving in Mumbai from Dubai.

According to India Today, his lawyer stated, ‘My client, Mr Abdu Rozik was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in the capacity of a prosecution witness against one Mr Kunal Oza. As his duty towards the law enforcement agencies in our country, Mr. Abdu Rozik has travelled all the way from Dubai to depose his statement under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.’

The lawyer stated that they had furnished the required documents and were cooperating fully with the investigation. He further affirmed their commitment to continued cooperation whenever necessary.

About Shirazi

Shirazi, suspected of narcotics trafficking, was apprehended on January 5 by the ED in connection with its money laundering investigation linked to the Mumbai police's seizure of synthetic narcotic Ketamine worth approximately ₹7.87 crore in March last year. He is presently in judicial custody.

Rozik attracted the attention of the ED due to his purported affiliation with a hospitality management and consultancy firm, currently under scrutiny for suspected connections with Shirazi.

Sources indicate that the hospitality firm purportedly approached Rozik early last year with an offer to appoint him as a brand ambassador for various upcoming restaurants/hotels linked to the firm. Ultimately, Rozik accepted the offer to become the brand ambassador of an upcoming fast-food outlet in the city. He reportedly attended the inauguration ceremony for this establishment in mid-2023.

Rozik reportedly informed the ED that the hospitality firm allegedly did not compensate him for the brand ambassadorship. Instead, he claimed he was promised a share of profits once the fast-food joint became profitable, which never materialized. Moreover, he stated that he never met Shirazi.

Shirazi stands accused of involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate responsible for distributing illegal synthetic drugs across multiple countries. Allegedly, this syndicate, led by Shirazi and others, is under ED's investigation for facilitating the illicit supply of psychotropic substances to US-based customers purchasing opioids online. The ED is scrutinizing transactions involving four individuals linked to these activities.

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