Two Indian gangsters, Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria, were arrested by United States law enforcement agencies in Las Vegas on October 22, 2026, following information shared by Indian authorities. The development was reported on October 24 and has triggered efforts by Indian agencies to bring both men back to face criminal proceedings in India.
The arrests were carried out with assistance from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to reports. Haryana’s Special Task Force (STF) is coordinating with central agencies and American authorities regarding their return. The two men are wanted in India in connection with multiple criminal cases, including allegations of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and extortion.
The arrests represent a significant development in investigations into organised criminal networks allegedly operating across several Indian states while their suspected leaders remain abroad.
Himanshu Bhau Faces Multiple Criminal Cases
Himanshu Bhau, whose real name is Himanshu Ritoliya, is a native of Ritoli village in Haryana’s Rohtak district. He has appeared on the wanted lists of Haryana Police, Delhi Police and other Indian investigative agencies.
According to investigators, Bhau is allegedly linked to a criminal network operating across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab and other regions. Authorities have associated his alleged network with shootings, extortion demands and targeted attacks.
An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2023 to help international law enforcement agencies locate him and facilitate possible provisional arrest. Investigators believe he continued to influence criminal activities in India while living overseas.
Reports indicate that Bhau allegedly used a different identity and obtained travel documents through forged paperwork to evade detection. Authorities have been working to establish his movements abroad and identify individuals suspected of assisting his network.
Neeraj Faridpuria Also Taken Into Custody
Neeraj Faridpuria, also known as Neeraj Kaushik, is from Haryana’s Palwal district. More than 25 criminal cases have reportedly been registered against him.
Faridpuria was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case in 2015 but was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2019. His name subsequently surfaced in investigations involving serious violent crimes, including the 2019 murder of Congress spokesperson Vikas Chaudhary in Faridabad.
Investigators have also associated him with the Bambiha gang, which has been described as a rival of the Lawrence Bishnoi network. Police are examining his alleged role in criminal activities and the extent of his connections with other suspected gang members.
His detention alongside Bhau is expected to draw further attention to the relationships between criminal groups operating across state and international borders.
Indian Agencies Coordinate With US Authorities
Following the arrests, Haryana STF officials began coordinating with American law enforcement agencies and India’s central authorities to facilitate the process of returning the suspects to India.
The next steps will depend on applicable US legal procedures, immigration proceedings and any necessary diplomatic coordination. Deportation and extradition are distinct legal processes, and the appropriate route will depend on the circumstances of each case.
Indian investigators may seek to question both men in connection with pending cases if they are returned. Their custody could also help authorities examine alleged criminal networks, identify suspected associates and gather evidence concerning outstanding investigations.
However, the arrests do not automatically establish guilt in the cases registered against either man. Each allegation must be examined through the relevant legal process.
Focus Turns to Organised Crime Networks
The detentions highlight the growing cooperation between Indian and American authorities in tracing fugitives suspected of operating internationally.
Investigators have been examining alleged criminal networks that use overseas locations to evade arrest while suspected associates carry out activities in India. These cases often require coordination across jurisdictions, digital evidence analysis and the exchange of intelligence between law enforcement agencies.
For now, the immediate priority is to establish the legal process governing the suspects’ return and determine the next steps in the investigations.
The arrests of Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria mark a major development in India’s efforts to pursue wanted suspects overseas. Further proceedings will determine how the cases progress and what additional evidence emerges against the two men.
