New Delhi: In a major development, wanted gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria have been arrested in the United States, according to reports. The two were detained in Las Vegas on October 22 following inputs from the Haryana Special Task Force (STF), with US law enforcement agencies assisting in the operation.

Indian authorities are coordinating with their American counterparts to facilitate the duo’s return to India to face criminal cases registered against them. The next steps will depend on the applicable US legal and immigration procedures.

Who Is Himanshu Bhau?

Himanshu Bhau, whose reported real name is Himanshu Ritoliya, hails from Ritoli village in Haryana’s Rohtak district. He is wanted in multiple cases involving allegations of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and extortion. He has also figured on the wanted lists of Haryana and Delhi Police, and an Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2023.

Investigators suspect that Bhau operated a criminal network from abroad. His name has been linked in reports to several high-profile shooting incidents, including firing outside YouTuber Elvish Yadav’s residence. Authorities have also alleged links between his network and other organised crime groups.

Reports state that Bhau obtained a passport under the name Himanshu Sigroha. The allegations against him remain subject to legal proceedings.

Neeraj Faridpuria Also Detained

Neeraj Faridpuria, also identified in reports as Neeraj Kaushik, is a resident of Haryana’s Palwal district. More than 25 criminal cases have reportedly been registered against him.

He was previously arrested by Haryana Police in 2012 and was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case in 2015. The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail in 2019.

His name later surfaced in the investigation into the June 2019 murder of Congress spokesperson Vikas Chaudhary in Faridabad. He has also been linked in reports to the Bambiha gang and alleged criminal activities in coordination with the Himanshu Bhau network.

What Happens Next?

Following the arrests, the Haryana STF is reportedly in contact with central agencies and US authorities to pursue the process of bringing the two men back to India.

Officials will need to follow the applicable legal procedures in the United States, which may involve deportation or formal extradition, depending on the circumstances of their detention and the legal requirements.

The arrests mark a significant development in efforts to locate wanted fugitives accused of involvement in organised crime. Further details about the legal process and the timeline for their return are awaited.