In the village of Ritoli near Rohtak, Himanshu Bhau began his troubled journey at just 16, initially linking with local liquor smugglers. After a dispute with a village liquor contractor, he was attacked on April 5, 2019. Being a minor, he was quickly released. In August that year, he demanded extortion from the vegetable market leader. On July 5, 2020, Bhau carried out a deadly firing for the first time. Police caught him soon after and sent him to a juvenile home in Hisar’s Boston area.
Rising Criminal Record and International Links
While in the juvenile home, Bhau escaped along with his friend Sahil Ritolia and about 20 other minors. Over time, he was named in nine criminal cases, including six murders. Authorities intensified their pursuit. He connected with the Niraj Bawania syndicate via gangster Naveen Bali. On August 16, 2022, under the alias Kunal Singh, he obtained a passport registered to a Civil Lines address in Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh.
His journey took him from Dubai through the Donkey route to Europe and Portugal. Delhi police recorded over 20 charges including murders and extortion against him. In August 2023, Interpol issued a red corner notice, and in May 2024, Delhi police imposed a MCOCA case against him. Overall, more than 60 FIRs, including 16 murders, have been registered in Haryana and Delhi.
Gang Activities and Expansion
Bhau became the face of the Bambhia group across Delhi and Haryana. This faction included key figures such as Niraj Bawania, Naveen Bali, Rahul Kala, Tillu Tajpuria, Sunil Rathi, Rohit Chaudhary, and Irfan, also known as Chenu Pehalwan. Utilizing social media, Bhau recruited local youth by offering weapons, money, and promises of overseas travel.
He gained trust by offering support in personal feuds and went as far as using honey-money traps to eliminate rival gang members. Friends from Ritoli like Sahil and Yogesh, known as Bobby from Jhajjar, were also brought overseas to strengthen the gang’s reach and power.
Police records show Bhau was born on February 25, 2003, in Ritoli. His father, Krishan Kumar alias Lala, died of illness in 2012. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, Bhau completed education only up to the 9th grade. His mother, Bhagwani, is behind bars in Jhajjar jail related to a murder case from August 23, 2023. Bhau’s sister is married in Najafgarh, Delhi, and he has a younger brother.
The police claim Bhau’s gang includes over 30 members, including his mother. Several gangsters have been neutralized in encounter operations, including shooters affiliated with Burger King gangs. Himanshu Bhau’s rapid transformation from a village liquor trader to one of the most wanted gangsters operating internationally highlights the expanding scope of organized crime originating from small towns.
