CHANDIGARH — Haryana police investigators said on Saturday that fugitive gangster Himanshu Bhau, also known as Himanshu Ritoliya of Ritoli village in Rohtak, was taken into custody in Las Vegas on October 22. Authorities said his arrest followed actionable intelligence passed by the Haryana Special Task Force and was carried out with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Immediate steps for return to India
The Haryana STF reported it is coordinating with US law‑enforcement agencies and central Indian authorities to secure Bhau's deportation. Officials said legal and diplomatic channels will be engaged to bring him back to face a string of criminal cases registered in Haryana and Delhi.
An associate, identified as Neeraj Kaushik alias Neeraj Faridpuria, was reportedly detained alongside Bhau in Las Vegas. Both men are expected to be subject to immigration checks and further processing under US procedures before any transfer to Indian custody can be effected.
Accusations and networks
Investigators in India say Bhau is wanted in multiple serious offences including murder, kidnapping and extortion. The Haryana and Delhi police have lodged cases against him, and the National Investigation Agency also lists him as wanted. An Interpol Red Notice for Bhau was issued in August 2023, according to the records cited by investigators.
Police assert Bhau organised a criminal network that operated across Delhi‑NCR, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, allegedly directing operations while he remained abroad. He has been linked with gangs active in the region, investigators said, and accused of maintaining a violent rivalry with the Lawrence Bishnoi–Goldy Brar combine and coordination with other criminal groups.
Violent incidents tied to the gang
Law‑enforcement records tie the network to several high‑profile violent incidents in Delhi and Haryana. Among the cases investigators associate with Bhau’s outfit are a killing at a Burger King outlet in Delhi, a reported shooting outside social‑media personality Elvish Yadav’s residence, and gun attacks at car showrooms in Naraina and Tilak Nagar, Delhi. Police also allege the gang used armed associates to carry out targeted attacks and resorted to threats and extortion against businesspersons, builders and developers.
Movement abroad and suspicion on routes
Officials recount that Bhau first surfaced in media and probe files in March 2022 after three murders were recorded in his home district within 24 hours. Investigators say he subsequently left India using a counterfeit passport made with fabricated documents. He is believed to have gone first to Dubai and later to Portugal, from where he reportedly ran his network using encrypted messaging platforms.
Sources involved in the probe suspect Bhau entered the United States by what they described as the “Dunkey Route” in late 2024 or early 2025, enabling him to remain out of reach of Indian agencies until his detention this month.
What authorities will now pursue
Following the arrest, Haryana police will press for extradition or deportation, while domestic investigating agencies prepare to present evidence and fast‑track cases pending against Bhau. The presence of multiple serious charges and the Interpol notice could accelerate legal cooperation between India and the US, officials indicated.
- Arrest location: Las Vegas, United States (detained on October 22)
- Primary accused: Himanshu Bhau (Himanshu Ritoliya) of Ritoli village, Rohtak
- Associate detained: Neeraj Kaushik (Neeraj Faridpuria)
- Agencies involved: Haryana STF, FBI, US ICE; Interpol Red Notice (Aug 2023), NIA involvement cited
- Allegations: Murder, kidnapping, extortion, directing criminal network across Delhi‑NCR and neighbouring states
Timeline of key events
| Year / Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2022 | Three murders in Rohtak district brought Bhau to prominence in investigations |
| August 2023 | Interpol issued a Red Notice against Bhau |
| Late 2024 / Early 2025 | Suspected entry into the United States via the "Dunkey Route" (as per investigators) |
| 22 October 2026 | Detained in Las Vegas with assistance from FBI and ICE following STF inputs |
Local communities in Rohtak and neighbouring districts, who say they were troubled by a spate of violent incidents linked by police to Bhau’s network, will be watching the legal proceedings closely. For farmers and small traders in the region, investigators say bringing the accused back will be important for concluding extortion and intimidation cases.
Haryana investigators have emphasised that co‑operation from international partners was critical in tracking and apprehending an individual who had allegedly managed operations from abroad. They added that the matter now shifts to legal and diplomatic channels to ensure the detained men face charges in India.
