US arrests Indian Gangsters Himanshu Bhau, Neeraj Faridpuria in Las Vegas

In a major development in the fight against organised crime, Indian gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria have been arrested in Las Vegas, the United States. The arrests followed intelligence inputs and technical surveillance by Indian agencies, highlighting growing cooperation between Indian and US law enforcement agencies in tracking wanted criminals operating overseas.

In today’s episode of DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, conducted a detailed analysis of the arrests and examined how Indian agencies helped US authorities trace the two gangsters, who had been operating from abroad.

The arrests send a message to Indian criminals who flee overseas to escape the law that foreign countries may no longer offer them a safe haven. US authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reportedly acted on information shared by Indian agencies.

How Himanshu Bhau Was Arrested In Las Vegas

Himanshu Bhau was arrested in Las Vegas following inputs from the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) and Indian agencies, which used technical surveillance and informant networks to track him. Bhau had fled India in 2022 using a fake passport. Interpol issued a Red Notice against him in August 2023.

Bhau entered the world of crime at the age of 17 and is linked to more than 41 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, extortion, forgery and offences under the Arms Act. A reward of Rs 2.5 lakh had been announced for information leading to his arrest in Haryana, while Delhi Police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh.

He has also been linked to several high-profile incidents, including a firing incident at YouTuber Elvish Yadav's house and a shooting at a cafe in Rajouri Garden. In March 2022, three targeted killings were reported in Haryana within 24 hours.

Neeraj Faridpuria Also Arrested In The US

Neeraj Faridpuria was also arrested in Las Vegas after Indian agencies shared information with US authorities. He had previously been detained for violating US immigration laws but was released on bail. He later removed his electronic ankle monitor and went into hiding before being traced and arrested again.

Faridpuria reportedly began his criminal activities at the age of 14 and is linked to more than 25 serious criminal cases. In 2015, a lower court sentenced him to life imprisonment in a murder case. After securing bail in 2019, he allegedly fled India, travelling through Dubai to Canada and later to the US using a fake passport. Haryana Police had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Rival Gangs And The Fight For Control

Bhau and Faridpuria are associated with rival criminal networks linked to the Bambiha and Neeraj Bawana gangs, which have long been at odds with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to the analysis, associates based overseas, including in Portugal, Dubai and the US, have been involved in activities such as extortion, contract killings and illegal land grabbing.

Faridpuria has been described as an operational crime head of the Bambiha gang, while Bhau is said to have handled its international operations. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang's core areas of activity include Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab, where its network overlaps with those of rival gangs.

Bhau's arrest could weaken his network, but it may not bring the gang's activities to an end. Yogesh Kadian is alleged to have managed parts of the network while Bhau was abroad. Other alleged associates, including Sahil Ritoli, Naseeb alias Daku Kulasiya and Aman Bhainswal, are also reported to remain outside prison and active.

The arrest could also affect the balance of power among rival criminal groups. However, the impact will depend on whether other members can continue running the network and maintaining its operations from within India or overseas.

What Happens Next? Deportation Or Extradition

Both gangsters are reportedly being held at the Henderson Detention Centre in Nevada. Their return to India could take place through deportation or extradition, depending on the legal circumstances.

If US authorities establish violations of immigration law, including the use of fake passports, deportation may be possible. The recent deportation of Anmol Bishnoi under immigration provisions has also highlighted this route.

India and the US signed an extradition treaty in 1997. Under the process, Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, would submit relevant evidence and court warrants to the US Department of Justice. A US court would examine whether the legal requirements had been met, after which the US Secretary of State would issue the final order.

Red Notices have already been issued against the two men, and their identities have reportedly been verified. Indian agencies are expected to coordinate with their US counterparts on the next steps to bring them back to India.

Lessons From International Crime Syndicates

The arrests also raise questions about the future of the gangs linked to Bhau and Faridpuria. The history of international criminal syndicates shows that the arrest of a leading figure does not always end a network.

Colombia's Medellin Cartel collapsed following the fall of Pablo Escobar, while the Cali Cartel expanded its influence. The arrest of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán also contributed to divisions within Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel. In India, the arrest of Chhota Rajan in Bali in 2015 was followed by a decline in the activities of his syndicate.

Whether Bhau's arrest leads to a similar decline or creates an opening for rival gangs remains to be seen. The arrests of Bhau and Faridpuria, however, underline the role of intelligence-sharing and international cooperation in tracking wanted criminals who attempt to evade justice by moving across borders.