Wanted Gangsters Himanshu Bhau, Neeraj Faridpuria Arrested in US; Haryana STF Seeks Deportation

Gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, both wanted in India in multiple criminal cases, have been arrested in Las Vegas in the United States, sources said. The arrests took place on October 22 following inputs from the Haryana Special Task Force (STF), which is now coordinating with US authorities and central agencies to secure their deportation to India.

The operation was carried out with assistance from the US immigration enforcement agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bhau, a rival of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, and Faridpuria are suspected of links to organised criminal networks operating across India and abroad.

Himanshu Bhau Wanted in Multiple Murder and Extortion Cases

Himanshu Bhau features on the most-wanted lists of Haryana and Delhi Police. Several cases involving murder, kidnapping and extortion have been registered against him and his associates across Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. An Interpol notice has also been issued against him.

According to police, Bhau allegedly obtained a passport using forged documents before fleeing India. Reports have linked him to Portugal, where he is suspected of running his criminal network, and to gangs associated with Neeraj Bawana and Naveen Bali.

Bhau has also figured in investigations into several shootings and murders in the Delhi-NCR region, with suspected gang links and social media posts claiming responsibility for attacks.

Neeraj Faridpuria Has More Than 25 Criminal Cases

Neeraj Faridpuria, a resident of Haryana's Palwal district, was living in the US when he was arrested. More than 25 criminal cases have been registered against him.

Haryana Police arrested Faridpuria following an encounter in 2012. In 2015, a court sentenced him to life imprisonment in a murder case, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail in 2019.

His name later surfaced in the murder of Congress state spokesperson Vikas Chaudhary, who was shot dead in Faridabad on June 26, 2019. Faridpuria allegedly fled to Canada via Dubai after the killing.

He was subsequently given charge of the Bambiha gang in Canada, which is a rival of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He later moved to the US, where he allegedly worked alongside the Himanshu Bhau gang.

Faridpuria had also claimed responsibility for the firing incident outside YouTuber Elvish Yadav's residence.

Police Investigate Himanshu Bhau Gang's Suspected Links to Delhi Shootings

Delhi Police have been investigating a series of shootings and murders in the Delhi-NCR region in which the Himanshu Bhau gang has figured in suspected links or social media claims of responsibility.

One such case is the killing of gym trainer Vijay Kumar in south Delhi's Aya Nagar in September. Investigators are examining whether the murder was linked to a longstanding rivalry between families in the village. Police are also verifying a social media post attributed to Bhau that claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to police and Kumar's family, he was inside a gym when some men allegedly called him outside. Two attackers on a motorcycle then opened fire near Hansa Chowk in the Fatehpur Beri area of south Delhi. Police said around 15 rounds were fired at approximately 10 am.

"Vijay Kumar sustained multiple gunshot injuries and later succumbed. An FIR has been registered and multiple teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the accused, who fled the spot. The motive initially seems to arise from personal enmity," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal had said.

A subsequent social media post purportedly issued by Bhau claimed responsibility for Kumar's killing and carried a warning in Hindi: "Bhagne se kam nahi chalega field me aao. Bhagne nahi dunga kisi ko" — meaning that running away would not help and that no one would be allowed to escape.

The post referred to the "Bhau gang" and included the phrase "Since-2020", according to police sources.

Dairy Businessman Ratan Lohia's Murder Also Under Investigation

Earlier this year, 55-year-old dairy businessman Ratan Lohia was shot dead near his home in Aya Nagar, the same locality where Kumar was killed.

Police sources said the attackers allegedly fired more than 60 rounds after spending several hours conducting reconnaissance in the area.

Lohia's family alleged that he was killed by Rambir Lohia and his relatives in retaliation for the death of Rambir's 24-year-old son, Arun, who was shot dead near Chattarpur Metro Station earlier this year.

Police sources also suspected gangster Neeraj Faridpuriya's involvement in Lohia's murder and investigated whether the attack had been carried out by shooters based in Haryana. According to the sources, the suspects were believed to have travelled from Faridabad and abandoned their vehicle there.

Four alleged members of the Himanshu Bhau gang were arrested in connection with Lohia's murder, police sources said.

The arrests of Bhau and Faridpuria in Las Vegas mark a significant development in investigations into criminal networks suspected of operating across India and overseas. Haryana STF is coordinating with US authorities and central agencies to bring the two men back to India.