Latest news with #Bhau
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Indian Express
Who are Delhi-NCR's five most-wanted gangsters calling the shots from abroad?
On the morning of June 27, Deepak Thakran and his seven-year-old daughter were out for a walk in his village in Outer Delhi. Suddenly, two men on a bike zipped past, firing eight rounds at the duo. Thakran died. He wasn't just any man — he was the nephew of dreaded gangster Manjeet Mahal. And the hit, investigators said, was ordered by Mahal's arch-rival, Kapil Sangwan. The killing has once again turned the spotlight on how gang wars have spilled onto the streets of Delhi-NCR — and how gangsters based abroad continue to control the city's underworld from afar. The Indian Express has accessed the top five names on the police's most wanted list. Born in 2002, Bhau hails from Haryana's Rohtak. Now in his early 20s, he is one of the youngest gangsters on the radar. According to sources, he currently runs his network virtually from the United States. He initially fled to Portugal before recently shifting base to the US. He is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Delhi Police, and Haryana Police. According to police records, he has over 20 cases against him — at least 16 related to murder and attempted murder. He was allegedly involved in the murder of a 26-year-old man at a Burger King outlet in West Delhi last year, as well as in multiple firing incidents targeting the offices of several businessmen. Recently, his close aide, Sahil Ritholi — also suspected to be operating from abroad — threatened a Delhi Police head constable and demanded Rs 10 crore as extortion. Their audio conversation also went viral on social media. The police believe Bhau is running his syndicate, which operates in Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, from Portugal and US with Sahil's help. In August 2023, the Interpol issued a Red Notice in his name. Bhau took to crime when he was in his teens. In 2020, all of 17, he was sent to a juvenile correctional facility in Hisar in connection with an attempted murder case. Over a month later, he staged a breakout with 20 others. While 18 of those who escaped were caught, Bhau and Sahil have remained untraceable since then. Hailing from Haryana's Yamunanagar, he is the younger brother of jailed gangster Kala Rana, and a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail. Kala Rana alias Virendra Pratap was extradited to India from Bangkok in 2022 by the Delhi Police. He used to operate in collaboration with the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate in Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar. After his arrest, the gang's operations have been taken over by Noni. Kala Rana is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. Noni allegedly orchestrated a triple murder in Yamunanagar through his associate Romil Vohra, The victims were killed allegedly over a dispute involving extortion demands made to liquor barons in the region. Vohra was shot dead in a shootout with the Delhi Police last month. Following his death, the Rana group reportedly shared a post on social media threatening police officials from both Delhi and Haryana, vowing to avenge his death. A police officer said that due to fear of the Rana brothers, the bidding rates for liquor vends have declined in parts of Yamunanagar and its surrounding areas. The officer added that Noni is allegedly involved in multiple cases of murder and extortion, primarily targeting businessmen and builders in Haryana. Officials also believe that the Rana brothers played a role in the daring escape of gangster Kuldeep Mann, alias Fajja, from East Delhi's GTB Hospital in March 2021. Fajja, a member of the Gogi gang, was later killed in a shootout in Rohini. Born in 1994, Brar hails from Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib. A former close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Brar has become a major concern for law enforcement agencies due to his alleged involvement in extorting businessmen across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. He was one of the main conspirators allegedly involved in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala ala in May 2022. He is also accused of orchestrating the murder of District Youth Congress president Gurlal Singh Pehalwan in Faridkot. Brar's father was an assistant sub-inspector in the Punjab Police. He moved to Canada in 2017 on a student visa. The government issued a Red Corner Notice against him in 2022. Agencies have suspected his association with the banned organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). In a purported audio message recently released on social media, Brar denied having any links with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's intelligence agency. 'I urge the media and administration to confirm facts before labelling someone a patriot or a traitor. We have never acted against the nation,' he can purportedly be heard saying in the clip. Born in 1989, Godara is from Rajasthan's Bikaner. Godara, also known as Rawatdas, is a close confidante of Brar. He was allegedly involved in the conspiracy to kill Moose Wala. Godara was also the alleged was mastermind behind an attack on gangster Raju Theth in December 2022 – Theth was shot dead by assailants. He was a rival of gangster Anandpal Singh, who was killed in an encounter by the Rajasthan Police in 2017. In December 2023, Godara was allegedly behind the plot to kill Karni Sena leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in Jaipur. According to Jaipur Police, one of the shooters had a 'direct link' with Godara. Following this, the Rajasthan Police announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his arrest and wrote to the CBI, seeking assistance in locating him through Interpol. In April 2024, Godara was involved in the firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence, with the Mumbai Police naming him as an accused. A non-bailable warrant was subsequently issued against him by the court. Then in September, shots were fired outside singer A P Dhillon's residence in Canada, allegedly over Salman Khan's appearance in one of his music videos. Godara later claimed responsibility for the incident. He was also allegedly behind a plot to target stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, outsourcing the hit to two men in Delhi. According to Rajasthan Police, there are currently at least 30 cases registered against him, including charges of murder, attempted murder, extortion, and violations under the Arms Act. He has also been named in connection with several extortion calls made to businessmen and politicians — though authorities believe some of these calls were fake, with impersonators pretending to be him. In June 2022, he reportedly flew to Dubai from Delhi using a fake passport under the name Pawan Kumar. He is currently believed to be in the United Kingdom. A Red Corner Notice has been issued against him by security agencies. Born in 1994, Sangwan, who hails from Delhi's Najafgarh, faces over a dozen cases related to extortion, land grabbing, and murder in both Delhi and Haryana. He was arrested in 2016 and remained in jail until 2019, when he was granted parole for a month. During that period, his associates organised a grand party at a farmhouse, built on encroached government land, in Najafgarh. Although the Crime Branch raided the event and arrested 22 criminals, Sangwan himself was notably absent. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him in June 2021. He is allegedly involved in the murder of Haryana INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathee in February 2024. The killing is believed to be linked to his ongoing gang rivalry with jailed gangster Manjeet Mahal. The roots of this feud trace back to 2015, when a close aide of Mahal, Nafe alias Mantri, lent money to Sangwan's brother-in-law, Sunil alias Doctor. When Sunil failed to repay the loan, he was killed on December 20 that year. In retaliation, Sangwan allegedly attacked Nafe's house the following day, December 21, and killed his father, Harikishan Singh, according to police. Last month, Sangwan allegedly ordered a hit on Mahal's nephew, Deepak, in Thakran village, located in Outer Delhi. Following the killing, a post was shared from Sangwan's purported Instagram account, stating: 'We won't kill you. We will make you shed tears of blood.' Later, two of the shooters involved in the attack were arrested by the Delhi Police. In December last year, Sangwan allegedly orchestrated the killing of three people in the parking lot of The Sultanat Hotel in Pinjore, Panchkula, following a birthday party. These murders are also believed to be linked to his ongoing rivalry with the Mahal gang. According to police, Sangwan fled to the United Kingdom in 2020 using fraudulent documentation.
NDTV
11-07-2025
- NDTV
Gangster's Audio Surfaces In Rs 10 Crore Ransom Demand From Delhi Cop
In a case of extortion, an audio recording has emerged, revealing a demand for a ransom of Rs 10 crore from a Delhi Police Head Constable posted in the Vikaspuri area. The call, allegedly made by a close associate of notorious gangster Himanshu alias Bhau, contains direct threats against the officer and his family. According to the reports, the Head Constable received two phone calls from an unknown number. The caller has been identified as Sahil Ritoli, a close aide of Himanshu Bhau, who is one of the most wanted criminals in Haryana and Delhi. During the call, Ritoli demanded Rs 10 crore as ransom and warned that failure to comply would lead to the killing of the constable and his family. During the call, the gangster can be heard saying, "I have found out everything about you... Just watch out as you have children too." Notably, the victim was reportedly a close friend of Manjeet Ahlawat alias Dighal, a former Delhi Police constable who had transitioned to private finance. Manjeet was murdered in December 2024 at a wedding in Rohtak, Haryana, reportedly over for not paying extortion money to the Bhau gang. Initially, the constable filed a complaint about the threat, but no FIR was registered. But as soon as the matter reached the authorities, the Vikaspuri police registered a case on July 8 under Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi Police are actively investigating the matter. The police are trying to trace the phone number from which the call came. Also, providing security to the head constable is being considered. Who is Himanshu alias Bhau? Himanshu, widely known as Bhau, is a notorious gangster, whose name is in the most wanted list of Haryana and Delhi Police. Many serious cases are registered against him, spanning across from Rohtak, Jhajjar and Delhi. Interpol has also issued a red corner notice against him. Authorities revealed that Himanshu obtained a passport using forged documents and fled the country. As per the reports, Himanshu is running the entire extortion racket from Portugal. Police say that he also has connections with the infamous Neeraj Bawana and Naveen Bali gang.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘Your kids should watch themselves': Delhi cop gets Rs 10-crore extortion call from Himanshu Bhau gang
A head constable allegedly received an extortion demand of Rs 10 crore from a close aide of the Himanshu Bhau gang, police said on Thursday. A senior officer said the head constable, posted with the Crime Branch Rohini unit, received two calls from a man named Sahil Ritoli, known to be close to Bhau. 'The head constable was allegedly friends with Manjit Ahlawat, a former Delhi Police constable-turned-financier, who was killed at a wedding in Rohtak's Kiloi village in December 2024, allegedly because he didn't cave in to Bhau's extortion demand,' the officer added. 'Ritauli told the head constable that he knew he was Ahlawat's friend and had helped him with work involving a good amount of money… He then asked him to pay Rs 10 crore, saying that if he doesn't comply, his family would be in trouble,' the officer further said. In a purported video of the head constable receiving the phone call, the caller can be heard threatening him. In reply, the constable is heard saying, 'Now you are going to threaten Delhi Police as well?' To this, the caller replies that they can threaten anyone. In the purported video, the caller is also heard telling the constable that they did not call any other policemen, but only him, because they know about him. 'Your children should also watch themselves,' the caller threatened. The head constable is then heard saying, '…If you have the guts, then take Rs 10 crore.' Following this, the caller asks whether he is looking after Ahlawat's business as well, to which the head constable replied in the negative. A case has been registered at Vikaspuri police station under Section 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The officer said the head constable's family will be provided protection. Bhau (22) has over 18 cases lodged against him, including charges of murder and extortion. He also has an Interpol Red Notice against him, and currently operates from Portugal, senior officers said.
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
2 members of Bhau gang held for murder in Delhi
Two members of the gang led by Portugal-based fugitive gangster Himanshu Bhau were arrested on Saturday after a gunfight in Narela, north Delhi, police said. Police said that one pistol, a revolver, four cartridges, and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from the arrested accused. (Representational image) The accused, Mohit Vashisht, 25, and Bhumit Malik, 21, on Bhau's orders, allegedly murdered a man named Anil (single name) in Rohtak on July 1 in revenge for the victim's uncle having murdered Bhau's cousin Rohit Bajrang and his uncle in 2022, police said. 'On Saturday, the special cell's northern range (NR) team received information about the movement of two wanted criminals of Haryana in Narela. We laid a trap, spotted the accused riding a motorcycle and asked them to surrender. But the two opened fire. In self-defence we also shot back. Both accused were shot in the leg and apprehended. We admitted them to a nearby government where they are undergoing treatment,' said deputy commissioner of police (special cell) Amit Kaushik. Police said that one pistol, a revolver, four cartridges, and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from the arrested accused. Police said that Vashisht is named in seven cases registered in various police stations while Malik is named in six.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Around Town: Why Mumbaikars queue up daily at this 86-year-old iconic vada pav outlet near CST
Around six every evening, a long queue begins to form opposite Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. These people aren't waiting for a bus or a shared taxi, nor are they buying train tickets. About 25-30 individuals — from college-goers and first-jobbers to seasoned professionals — line up outside Aram, eager for hot batata vadas tucked into slightly larger-than-usual ladi pavs. It is their way of keeping hunger at bay until they reach home. 'Our VIP guests — customers who come here daily — tell me that one vada pav and a cup of tea keeps them going till dinner,' shared Kaustubh Tambe, 55, the third generation manning the business. Established in 1939 by Shrirang Tambe, known to many as Bhau, Aram is now a city landmark. 'My grandfather spotted a shut shop in the Capitol Cinema building. He approached the owners expressing interest in starting an uphar gruha (eatery), and started what was then called Aram Milk Cooperative,' Kaustubh recalled. The initial menu focused on milk-based items such as tea, coffee, basundi, gulab jamun, kheer, and among the early savoury offerings was the batata vada. Eighty-six years later, Aram can seat 48 people at a time and is still rooted in Maharashtrian cuisine. Over time, the menu expanded to include dishes like Kothimbir Vadi, a savoury snack made from gram flour and fresh coriander leaves; Thalipeeth, a healthy, multi-grain flatbread made using dozens of ingredients including jowar, bajra and rice flour; and Zunka Bhakri, a dry and spicy gram-flour sabzi paired with a rustic jowar bhakri among many others. My mother, Shree Tambe, personally taught the kitchen staff these dishes, always insisting on quality ingredients and consistency,' Kaustubh added. 'We are also well known for our Upvas (fasting) menu, which includes Sabudana Khichdi, Upvas Misal made from peanuts, and Upvas Pattice made from potato and peanuts. A few years ago, we even introduced an Upvas Thali featuring rajgira puri, batata sabzi, misal, pattice, rajgira roll, banana, and piyush. The separate vada pav counter, located just outside the main eatery, was introduced in 1995. 'Back then, it cost Rs 5. Now it's Rs 25,' he noted. What keeps the queue growing? 'Our vadas are bigger than most. So are our pavs, specially made for us. We use Samrat besan, single-fry the vadas (not double), and cook in refined sunflower oil. The recipe is simple, but the quality and consistency is what built us this reputation.' 'It is also the goodwill and management practices of my grandfather, father (Madhav Tambe) and uncle (Madhukar Tambe) that built this place. Most of our staff have been with us for 30-40 years. They feel a sense of apnapan. They know the batata vada must have a thin coating, and if someone new joins, another will step in and guide him.' Inside, it's a no-frills operation — people eat and leave, making space for the next customer. The staff run like clockwork, especially at the evening vada pav counter, where five people are assigned daily. Rajendra Zavre, who has been with Aram for over three decades, proudly shares that Madhav Sir, now in his 90s, still comes personally to hand over the staff's bonuses during Diwali. Aram underwent a minor refurbishment last year under the guidance of Kaustubh's wife Bijal Tambe, ahead of its 85th anniversary. The space was made brighter, ventilation improved, and induction cooking added to the kitchen. But the real shift is yet to come. With patrons from across the city, including celebrities, politicians, real estate moguls, and film personalities, franchise requests have poured in. But Kaustubh is clear: 'We can't hand it to someone else. If we don't own and run it, the quality might drop, and that's non-negotiable.' The fourth generation may step in next. While Kaustubh's older daughter is studying law, his son and younger daughter have expressed interest. 'They'll do their MBA first, work a few years, and then they will join Aram,' he shared. Meanwhile, Kaustubh has started laying the groundwork. 'We are setting up a central kitchen to maintain consistency and plan to open another outlet later this year. It will be somewhere between CST and Dadar.' When asked if that's just the beginning, he smiled and finally shared: 'We'll have 25 outlets across Mumbai in the next three years.'
