Las Vegas Bust: Indian Gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Kaushik Detained
US ICE detains Indian gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Kaushik in Las Vegas. India seeks fast deportation for the wanted criminals.
In a major blow to transnational criminal networks, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended two Indian nationals, identified as gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Kaushik, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The duo is currently being held at the Henderson Detention Center under the jurisdiction of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office.
The Apprehensions: A Tale of Two Fugitives
The crackdown on the two individuals unfolded in different manners. Himanshu Bhau—who also goes by the names Himanshu Ritoliya or Himanshu Sigroha—was taken into custody on Thursday, October 22, 2026. His capture was supported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which assisted in tracking the fugitive.
Neeraj Kaushik, known as Neeraj Faridpuria, faced a different path to detention. Kaushik had been detained earlier this year but was released on bail. However, his freedom ended abruptly after he allegedly removed his court-mandated ankle monitor, leading to his swift apprehension by US authorities.
A Long List of Crimes
While neither the FBI nor ICE has released a formal public statement, the gravity of the situation is underscored by the criminal record of Himanshu Bhau. He is currently wanted in India for a staggering 18 criminal cases. The charges against him are severe, including:
- Murder and attempted murder
- Extortion and intimidation
- Forgery
Due to the severity of these crimes, an Interpol Red Notice has been active against Bhau since August 2023, making him one of the most wanted individuals on the global stage.
India's Push for Rapid Deportation
The arrests were made possible through critical intelligence provided by Indian authorities, including the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) and various central agencies. With the suspects now in US custody, the Indian government is moving quickly to bring them home to face justice.
India is currently seeking to expedite the deportation proceedings. To ensure a smooth transition, a team of Indian officials may travel to the United States to coordinate the transfer of the detainees.
Immigration vs. Extradition
Interestingly, while the two men are in custody, no US criminal charges have been filed against them. They are currently held on immigration grounds. Legal experts point out that the immigration removal process is often significantly faster than the formal extradition process governed by the 1997 India-US extradition treaty.
However, their return is not yet guaranteed. The final decision will depend on the outcome of immigration proceedings, including whether the detainees file any petitions for asylum or other forms of relief before a US immigration judge.
Precedent and Legal Framework
This operation follows a similar high-profile case involving Anmol Bishnoi, who was detained in the US in 2024 and eventually deported back to India on November 19, 2025.
The detention also aligns with the mandates of the Laken Riley Act, which requires law enforcement agencies to report undocumented individuals charged with specific crimes to ICE for potential detention and deportation.