Mohali: In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the sensational murder of kabaddi player-cum-promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested Harpinder Singh, alias Middu, following an exchange of fire in Mohali. The arrest comes two days after Balachauria, aged 30, was shot dead during a kabaddi tournament in Sector 79, barely 300 metres from the Sohana police station.

Harpinder Singh is a resident of Naushehra Pannuan village in Tarn Taran district and is the first accused to be arrested in the case. Punjab Police confirmed the development through a post on X, describing the arrest as a significant step forward in cracking the murder case that had sent shockwaves across the kabaddi fraternity and the region.

Arrest after exchange of fire

According to Punjab Police, the accused was apprehended after he opened fire on a police team during an operation in Mohali. In the exchange of fire, Harpinder Singh sustained injuries and was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. Two police personnel were also injured during the chase and are undergoing medical care. Their condition is stated to be stable.

Police officials said the operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the accused’s movement in the Mohali area. A senior officer said the police team acted swiftly to prevent the suspect from escaping and ensured that he was taken into custody despite resistance.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that Harpinder Singh is allegedly involved in several heinous crimes and has a criminal background. Police are now interrogating him to ascertain his exact role in the murder and to identify other conspirators involved in the killing.

Murder during kabaddi tournament

Kanwar Digvijay Singh, popularly known as Rana Balachauria, was shot dead on December 15 during a kabaddi tournament organised in Sector 79 of Mohali. The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm in full public view, triggering panic and chaos at the venue where players and spectators had gathered.

According to the police, three assailants arrived at the tournament venue on a motorcycle. Two of them have been identified as Aditya Kapur and Karan Pathak, both hailing from Amritsar district. The attackers allegedly approached Balachauria under the pretext of taking a selfie. Moments later, they opened fire at close range, critically injuring him.

Despite immediate efforts to rush him to a hospital, Balachauria succumbed to his injuries. The brazenness of the attack, carried out so close to a police station and in front of a crowd, raised serious concerns about law and order and the growing influence of gang rivalry in sports-related events.

Associate injured, condition stable

Balachauria’s associate, Jagpreet Singh, who was present at the venue, also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack. He was hit in the abdomen and thigh and was rushed to the civil hospital in Mohali. Hospital authorities have stated that his condition is stable, and he is responding well to treatment.

Police are recording Jagpreet Singh’s statement as part of the investigation, as he is considered a key eyewitness to the sequence of events leading to the shooting.

Gang rivalry angle emerges

Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans said that the arrested accused and other suspects belong to the Lucky Patial gang, which is associated with the notorious Davinder Bambiha gang. He added that Aditya Kapur, one of the identified shooters, has 13 FIRs registered against him, while Karan Pathak is facing two criminal cases.

While the exact motive behind the murder is still under investigation, police have indicated that the killing appears to be the result of gang rivalry linked to “dominance in kabaddi”. Over the years, kabaddi tournaments in Punjab have occasionally been marred by disputes and rivalries involving players, organisers and gangs seeking influence and control.

The SSP categorically denied any connection between the murder of Balachauria and the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, dismissing speculation circulating on social media. “This case is being investigated purely from the angle of gang rivalry related to kabaddi. There is no link to any other high-profile cases,” he said.

Investigation continues

With the arrest of Harpinder Singh, police believe they have gained crucial leads that could help in nabbing the remaining accused. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations across Punjab to trace Aditya Kapur, Karan Pathak and any other individuals who may have facilitated the crime.

Police are also examining CCTV footage from the area, call detail records and other forensic evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish the roles of each accused.

Conclusion

The arrest of Harpinder Singh marks a significant development in the murder case of kabaddi player-cum-promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria. While the police have made an important breakthrough, the investigation is far from over. With gang rivalry emerging as a key motive, law enforcement agencies are under pressure to ensure swift arrests of the remaining accused and restore public confidence, particularly in the safety of sporting events in Punjab.