Three Accused in Kabaddi Promoter Murder Case Get Police Remand
A Mohali court handed three accused arrested in Kolkata to police on a three-day remand on Wednesday. These individuals face charges in the murder of kabaddi promoter Kunwar Digvijay Singh, also known as Rana Balachauria.
Details of the Arrests and Court Proceedings
Police arrested the three men at Howrah railway station in Kolkata two days ago. The group includes two alleged shooters. Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans confirmed the court's decision for remand to facilitate further investigation.
The total number of accused apprehended in this case now reaches eight. Additionally, one accused died in a police encounter earlier.
Background of the Murder
Balachauria suffered a fatal shooting during a kabaddi tournament in Sohana's Sector 79 on December 15 last year. The incident occurred while the tournament was actively underway.
Police Investigation and Gangster Links
SSP Hans stated that the arrested individuals acted on instructions from foreign-based gangsters Balwinder Singh, alias Donny Bal, and Amarjit Singh, alias Khabba. Special teams from the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Mohali district police formed under the Punjab DGP's orders.
These teams used CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance to track and arrest the accused in Kolkata.
Identities and Roles of the Arrested
The police identified the three arrested as:
- Karan Pathak, alias Karan Defaulter, 23: A resident of Amritsar with education up to Class VIII. Police say he, along with an accomplice, fired at Balachauria. He has two prior cases of quarrel and fighting registered against him in Amritsar.
- Tarandeep Singh, 25: Hails from Barewal village in Ludhiana district and holds an MA in sociology. He allegedly waited near the crime scene with a motorcycle to help the shooters escape after the murder. A case under the Arms Act is registered against him in Mohali.
- Sukhsherpal Singh, alias Akash Uppal, 22: A resident of Uppal village in Tarn Taran district with Class XII education. Police claim he is the maternal uncle of gangster Amarjit Singh and played a key role in planning the attack. He is wanted in extortion cases in Gurdaspur district.
Further Investigation Findings
Interrogation revealed that the arrested accused worked as shooters for the foreign-based gangsters. They engaged in murder and extortion activities on their orders.
The conspiracy to murder Balachauria began in October 2025. From October until the incident date, the accused and their accomplice Aditya Kapoor, alias Makhan, stayed in various hotels across Chandigarh, Kalka, Zirakpur, and Kharar.
Other Accused and Developments
Police previously arrested five other individuals in this case:
- Ashdeep Singh of Tarn Taran district
- Jugraj Singh, alias Jagga, of Chhapianwali
- Mandeep Singh, alias Mota, of Amritsar
- Davinder Singh, alias Tinka, of Panchkula district in Haryana
- Gagandeep Singh, alias Karan Sohal, of Wadala Colony in Jalandhar
Davinder Singh, a cab driver by profession, provided logistical support. He handled funds sent from abroad and facilitated the movement of the accused after the incident.
Harpinder Singh, alias Middi, of Tarn Taran, died in a police encounter in the Lalru area.
Current Status and Previous Attempts
Aditya Kapoor, alias Makhan, and some other associates remain absconding. Police teams are conducting raids to apprehend them.
SSP Hans noted that Balachauria had been targeted twice earlier at different locations. However, the accused failed to execute their plan on those previous occasions.
