A dramatic police encounter on Wednesday afternoon in Derabassi, near Chandigarh, resulted in the death of a key suspect in the high-profile murder of kabaddi promoter Digvijay Singh, popularly known as Rana Balachauria. The accused, identified as Harpinder Singh alias Middhi, was gunned down after he allegedly opened fire on a police team attempting to arrest him.
From Airport Arrest to Village Encounter
The chain of events leading to the encounter began with the crucial arrest of the alleged mastermind, Aishdeep Singh. Aishdeep was apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi on Tuesday night as he tried to board a flight to Muscat, Oman. His interrogation provided the vital clue to Middhi's location.
Acting on this information, a police team led by Dera Bassi DSP Bikram Brar and SHO Sumit Mor zeroed in on Middhi in Lehli village, situated along the Ambala-Lalru Highway, approximately 30 kilometers from Chandigarh. When the police moved in to arrest him, Middhi reportedly resisted violently.
Violent Exchange of Fire and Police Injuries
According to Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans, the police had surrounded the accused from three sides. Middhi fired 8 to 10 rounds from a Turkish-made Zigana pistol, forcing the police to retaliate in self-defence.
The gunfight left two police personnel injured. Head Constable Kumar Sharma sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. In a fortunate turn of events, a bullet aimed at the chest of Head Constable Gulab Singh was stopped by his bulletproof jacket. However, the blunt force of the impact still caused him injuries. Both constables are currently undergoing treatment.
Middhi suffered bullet injuries to his legs and abdomen. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his wounds during treatment.
Unraveling the Murder Conspiracy
Police investigations reveal that Harpinder Singh Middhi played a significant role in the murder of Digvijay Singh Rana, which took place on Monday. He accompanied the two main shooters — Aditya Kapur alias Makhan and Karan Pathak alias Defaulter Karan — to the kabaddi tournament where the promoter was killed. His job was to provide logistical support. The shooters allegedly lured Rana close under the pretext of taking selfies before shooting him dead.
The trail to Middhi was first uncovered following the arrest of another suspect named Yugraj, made with the assistance of Amritsar Rural police. Yugraj's questioning led the police to mastermind Aishdeep Singh.
SSP Hans disclosed that Aishdeep, who is wanted in multiple cases in Tarn Taran and Amritsar, had direct links with gangster Doni Bal and other gang members based abroad, including one named Jodha in Italy and Gurlal in the United States. Aishdeep had reportedly fled to Russia earlier and returned to India on November 25 specifically to execute Rana's murder. After the planning was complete, he booked his flight to Muscat for December 14. Rana was killed the next evening, after which Aishdeep fled to Delhi before his airport arrest.
Police sources indicated that Middhi was supposed to escape from the country along with Aishdeep but could not break through the police dragnet. The two main shooters, Kapur and Pathak, remain at large as the investigation continues.
