‘Shoaib Akhtar and Asif used to bring drugs to India’, former MHA officer’s claim creates stir

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 14, 2026

New Delhi: Former Under Secretary of Home Ministry RVS Mani has made some serious claims related to Pakistan in a podcast. He alleged that during his tenure, drugs were smuggled through some Pakistani delegations and cricket teams visiting India. He also claimed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI could be behind this activity.

Events during 2006–2010

RVS Mani was Under Secretary in the Internal Security Department of the Home Ministry between 2006 and 2010. During the conversation, he said that at that time the security agencies were receiving information in which some Pakistani delegations coming to India were accused of drug smuggling.

Name of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif

The former officer also claimed that the names of former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif had also come up in such cases. According to him, both the players had allegedly confessed to bringing drugs before the Pakistani High Commissioner, after which they were sent back. However, no official document or public record has surfaced to confirm this claim.

RVS Mani said that according to the assessment of security agencies, a large part of terrorism funding comes from drug smuggling. He claimed that drug smuggling into India was used for the purpose of raising funds for terrorist activities.

Mysterious death of Bob Woolmer

He also mentioned the mysterious death of former Pakistan cricket team coach Bob Woolmer in 2007. However, he did not present any direct evidence regarding this incident, but mentioned it in the context of his claims. The former officer also said that intelligence agencies used to give inputs to the Home Ministry from time to time, but further action is within the jurisdiction of the agencies concerned. At present, there has been no official response from Pakistan, the players concerned or any government agency on these claims of RVS Mani. In such a situation, these allegations are yet to be independently confirmed.