4 murders in 3 years: How 2 Rohtak gangsters sparked a deadly rivalry

Time of India

2 days ago

Rohtak: A deadly gang war that began over a car dispute six years ago claimed its fourth life in Rohtak in three years on Saturday.
Anil, an uncle of gangster Ankit alias Baba was shot 15 times by members of rival gang led by Himanshu alias Bhau, a rival of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, while he was on his way to the fields.
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Once school friends, Himanshu Bhau and Ankit, both from Ritoli village, turned against each other in 2019 following a dispute over a private bus and a car, according to villagers.
Ankit's associate Hansraj purchased a bus and sought security from Himanshu's gang to manage scuffles during operations. In return, Himanshu demanded a car, which was purchased on loan using documents from Ankit's family. When EMIs defaulted, the car was asked to be returned, but Himanshu's gang refused, and hostilities escalated.
In 2019, Himanshu shot at Ankit's brother Sunny during a stadium altercation. Arrested, Himanshu fled from a juvenile home. Ankit, in retaliation, expanded his gang and began targeting Himanshu's allies, sparking a series of revenge killings and extortion rackets.
On March 2, 2022, Ankit's gang killed Himanshu's cousin Rohit alias Bajrang. Another villager, Rajender, was also shot dead when he tried to intervene.
In retaliation, Himanshu's men murdered Ankit's associate Hansraj just five days later. Himanshu, by then operating under the alias "Bhau" fled India on a fake passport and is currently residing in the US, still orchestrating operations remotely.
Ankit and his brother Sunny are in jail but reportedly continue to run their gang from behind bars. The latest killing of Ankit's uncle Anil, who was involved in earlier criminal surveillance, was allegedly carried out on Himanshu's orders, according to local sources.
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Both gangs have lost two members each in this turf war.
The Bhau gang reportedly controls half of Ritoli village and has operatives across states, while the Baba gang comprises 25–30 members in the village and over 150 in surrounding regions. Locals, terrified, now refrain from speaking openly about the feud.
BOX
Goon at 17, from Rohtak village to US
Gangsters Ankit alias Baba and Himanshu alias Bhau belong to Ritoli village in Rohtak district.
Ankit's first criminal case was filed in 2016 under the SC/ST Act and assault. He was later charged with murder in 2022 and arrested in 2023.
His brother Sunny also has multiple cases, including attempted murder and extortion.
Himanshu Bhau, who was once a regular student, turned criminal at age 17.
After opening fire during a dispute, he was sent to a juvenile facility in Hisar but escaped. Since then, he has been linked to multiple crimes in Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Delhi, and has ties with the Neeraj Bawana and Naveen Bali gangs.
In 2022, Himanshu fled to Portugal on a fake passport and later reached the US.
Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him in 2023. Haryana Police announced a Rs 1.5 lakh bounty, while Delhi Police placed Rs 1 lakh on his head
Despite being overseas, he continues to extort businessmen in Delhi-NCR and Haryana
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