Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 24: Haryana gangster Himanshu Bhau, one of India's most-wanted fugitives accused of multiple murders, attempted murders and extortion, has reportedly been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States. Indian authorities are preparing to bring him back to India to face the criminal cases registered against him.
Bhau, whose real name is Himanshu Ritoliya, hails from Ritoli village in Rohtak district of Haryana. He is accused of operating a criminal network involved in violent crimes and extortion across Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Punjab and other parts of northern India. He has been pursued by the Haryana Police, Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
His name has surfaced in several high-profile criminal cases, including the killing at a Burger King restaurant in Delhi, shootings at gym owners' premises over alleged extortion demands and firing outside the residence of YouTuber Elvish Yadav. Investigators have accused his associates of threatening businessmen and demanding money through intimidation and targeted attacks.
In 2022, three murders were reported in Haryana within 24 hours, and Bhau reportedly claimed responsibility for all three killings. He also took responsibility for the firing outside Elvish Yadav's residence. His alleged involvement in these incidents has made him a prominent figure in investigations into organised crime in northern India.
Bhau reportedly entered the world of crime as a teenager. According to media reports, he escaped from a juvenile correctional facility in 2020 along with other inmates. He subsequently established links with criminal networks and allegedly expanded his operations through associates based in India.
Around 50 criminal cases are reportedly registered against him in Haryana alone, involving allegations of murder, attempted murder, extortion and other offences. The total number of cases attributed to him varies across media reports, as cases have been registered by different law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions.
Bhau has been associated with the Neeraj Bawana and Bambiha gang networks. His gang has a longstanding rivalry with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gangs. The rivalry has been linked in reports to several violent incidents and targeted attacks involving rival criminal groups.
After leaving India, Bhau reportedly travelled to Portugal before moving to the United States. Investigators suspect that he continued to coordinate his gang's activities in India while staying abroad. A Look Out Circular was issued against him in 2023, and Interpol subsequently issued a Red Notice at the request of Indian authorities.
An Interpol Red Notice seeks the location and provisional arrest of a wanted person pending extradition or similar legal proceedings. It is not an international arrest warrant, and the person's return depends on the applicable legal process.
Bhau's reported arrest by the FBI is a significant development in the efforts of Indian law enforcement agencies to bring him to justice. Authorities are expected to coordinate with their US counterparts to complete the necessary legal formalities for his return to India.
The extradition process will depend on the relevant legal requirements and decisions by the competent authorities. Once brought back, Bhau is expected to face the criminal cases registered against him in India. The allegations against him will be determined through judicial proceedings.