Gurgaon: For the first time, Haryana’s Special Task Force (STF) has proposed a reward of Rs 10 lakh on each of four foreign-based fugitive gangsters — a move aimed at breaking the backbone of transnational crime networks operating from abroad.The four names on the STF’s most-wanted list are Himanshu Bhau, Rohit Godara, Randeep Malik and Anil Pandit — gangsters accused in cases ranging from murder and targeted killings to extortion and organised crime.Investigators say all four continue to run criminal operations in Haryana and several other states while sitting thousands of kilometres away. The proposal has been sent to the state director general of police for approval.“With a proposed reward of around Rs 10 lakh on each gangster, the STF is sending out its strongest message that organised crime will be pursued beyond India’s borders. It is the beginning of a manhunt against four men accused of running a criminal empire of fear from overseas. Since most of the extortion calls received in Haryana and neighbouring states are from these four notorious men or their associates, we have first chosen them and will go after all the fugitives who are trying to hamper law and order here,” IGP (STF) Satheesh Balan said.Himanshu Bhau: 23-year-old who built a crime empireOriginally from Ritauli village in Rohtak, Himanshu Ritoliya alias Bhau entered the world of crime in 2019 under the influence of his cousin Ashok alias Shauki, a convicted criminal. What began as local criminal activity soon grew into a full-fledged organised network.Born on April 4, 2003, to Krishan Kumar alias Lala (deceased) and Bhagwani, Himanshu first drew national attention after escaping Hisar’s Borstal Jail along with 17 other juveniles by breaking through the prison wall on Oct 12, 2020. All who escaped were traced and brought back, except Himanshu.Himanshu is believed to be in California at present. Youth who are aware of his activities and are influenced by his image often contact him through social media to be recruited.Police records show he developed links with the Neeraj Bawana gang during his incarceration and was later associated with the Neeraj Faridpuria and Rakesh alias Kala Khairampuria gangs.Today, investigators say Himanshu heads his own syndicate of nearly 126 members, operating across Haryana, Punjab and Delhi-NCR, with more than 58 criminal cases registered against him for murder, attempted murder, targeted killings, extortion and Arms Act offences. His overseas network reportedly includes associates Sahil Ritauli, Yogesh alias Bobby Kadiyan and Neeraj Pandit.Police say Himanshu fled India on Sept 24, 2022, using a passport fraudulently obtained under the fake identity of Kunal, son of Dilbagh Singh, a resident of Aghwanpur in UP’s Moradabad. A Look Out Circular (LOC), Red Corner Notice (RCN) and open-date arrest warrant have since been issued against him.Himanshu studied up to Class 8 at a govt school in his village. He has a sister, Bhavana, who lives in Najafgarh, and a brother, Deepak.Himanshu is accused of killing 26-year-old Aman Joon at a Burger King outlet in Delhi’s Rajouri Garden in June 2024. Investigators believe Joon was killed at the request of the Bawana gang, which wanted to avenge the 2023 killing of Neeraj Bawana’s uncle in Jhajjar. In 2023, members of the Bhau gang allegedly fired 40 bullets at the office of a builder in Dwarka after he refused an extortion demand.Rohit Godara: From petty crime to a US indictmentRajasthan-based Rohit Godara’s journey into organised crime began over a decade ago with small-time criminal activity in Bikaner and Ganganagar. Police say his association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang developed through Ashish Bishnoi, from Ghadsan village in Rajasthan’s Anupgarh district, who is now based in Goa.Ashish and Rohit (32) were initially friends and were both involved in petty dacoity cases in the region. Their relationship later soured following a dispute involving Rohit’s associate Salman Bhutta. Lawrence is said to have mediated between the two, after which Rohit grew close to Lawrence and allegedly began participating in criminal activities in Ganganagar and Bikaner.His most high-profile killing remains that of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in Mansa on May 29, 2023, on behalf of the Lawrence gang. Godara also took responsibility for the killing of Sachin Goda, an alleged high-profile bookie, outside a dhaba in Rohtak in 2024. In Dec 2023, Godara made a Facebook post, taking responsibility for the murder of Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi.More recently, his alleged gunmen fired around 30 rounds at seven people on a busy street right outside a police station in Charkhi Dadri. All the victims were severely injured.Rohit has parted ways with Lawrence to emerge as one of his biggest rivals, now operating alongside fugitive gangster Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar and running a parallel criminal network. Police say he controls extortion rackets, recruits shooters and finances operations — targeting businessmen in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi — from abroad.Active in crime since 2012, Godara has around 80 criminal cases registered against him, and an LOC and RCN have been issued in his name. FBI recently named Godara, along with Lawrence and Brar, in US indictments against Indian-origin gangs allegedly involved in criminal activity on foreign soil.According to the indictment, when Lawrence and Godara worked together, the latter was identified as the gang’s Europe-based leader, alongside Sukhraj Singh Kang. US authorities alleged that Brar and Godara often spoke on Lawrence’s behalf and helped direct the group’s activities, including acts of violence in the US, Canada and other countries.Godara fled India in 2022 and is believed to be operating from Europe or the US.Randeep Malik: Working behind the scenesRandeep Malik (32) was born in Anchra Kalan village of Jind district to Jagbir and Rajesh. Unlike gangsters who operate on the ground, investigators describe him as one of the most crucial links in the organised crime ecosystem — the man who kept syndicates connected through encrypted communication, logistics and financial support. Police say he became associated with the networks of Godara, Lawrence and Brar, helping coordinate between gang leaders and operatives.His first criminal case dates back to 2011, when an FIR was registered against him at Kurukshetra University police stationfor voluntarily causing grievous injuries, common intention and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code.Since then, 17 criminal cases have been registered against him, including for murder, attempted murder and extortion. Investigators also name him as a key conspirator in the 2024 murder of gym owner and businessman Nadir Shah in Delhi’s Greater Kailash area, alleging he provided financial and logistical support for the killing, allegedly orchestrated on Lawrence’s instructions while Malik was based in the US. He is also wanted in connection with grenade blasts outside clubs in the city and Chandigarh last year.Police say Malik left India in Oct 2015 and continues to influence organised crime from overseas, with his network stretching across Hisar, Gurgaon, Jind, Rohtak, Sonipat, Kurukshetra and Chandigarh.Anil Pandit: From “donkey route” to gang opsAnil alias Pandit, a resident of Rair Kalan village in Panipat, took a different route into organised crime. Police say he first travelled to Dubai in 2022 in search of employment before illegally entering the US through the so-called “donkey route”. It was there, investigators say, that he came into contact with Malik. The two allegedly began working together in the transport business before becoming active members of an organised criminal syndicate.Anil is accused of involvement in extortion, targeted killings, attempted murder and murder conspiracies. His criminal record, according to the police brief, dates back to 2024, with 10 cases registered against him. An LOC has been issued in his name.Pandit, an operative of the Lawrence gang, took responsibility for firing outside Guru Randhawa’s gym in Delhi’s Paschim Vihar this June.
