Haryana gangster Himanshu Bhau held by ICE in Nevada, deportation to India likely
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Haryana gangster Himanshu Bhau, one of India's most wanted fugitives, and his associate Neeraj Faridpuria are being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Nevada, officials have confirmed. The two men were identified in the US government's online detainee locator on Friday, 24 October 2026, listed under the names Himanshu Sigroha and Neeraj Kaushik at the Henderson Detention Center in Henderson, Nevada, outside Las Vegas.
Who Is Himanshu Bhau
Bhau, whose real name is Himanshu Ritoliya, hails from Rohtak in Haryana. He has been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice since August 2023 and is wanted in 18 cases in India, including charges of murder, attempted murder, extortion, intimidation, and forgery. His gang has been linked to a series of high-profile crimes across north India, including the firing outside the Gurugram home of YouTuber Elvish Yadav in August 2025, for which Bhau's gang reportedly claimed responsibility.
Circumstances of the Arrests
Bhau was tracked to Las Vegas and arrested on Thursday, 22 October. Faridpuria was picked up after he reportedly removed an ankle monitor; he had been detained earlier this year and released on bail. Their cases are being handled by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office in Las Vegas. No US criminal charges against either man have been found in public records, and neither ICE nor the FBI has issued a formal statement on the arrests as of the time of writing.
India's Push for Deportation
Indian authorities were reportedly seeking to expedite deportation proceedings against Bhau, and a team of officers may travel to the United States in connection with the case. This comes amid a broader pattern of Indian investigators increasingly relying on US immigration proceedings rather than formal extradition to bring back fugitives wanted in India. Removal through the immigration system has generally proved faster than extradition under the 1997 India-US extradition treaty, which requires a lengthy court process.
The Anmol Bishnoi Precedent
The most closely watched precedent is that of Anmol Bishnoi, who was detained in the United States in 2024 and deported to India on 19 November 2025. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on arrival in New Delhi. Indian investigators are expected to monitor Bhau's case through the same lens, though the outcome will ultimately depend on whether Bhau or Faridpuria files for asylum or other immigration relief before a US immigration judge.
What Happens Next
The Henderson Detention Center is a city-run facility that holds ICE detainees under a federal agreement. Whether the two men face deportation or a prolonged legal process hinges on the immigration proceedings now underway. Indian law enforcement agencies are understood to be in contact with their US counterparts as the case develops.