Player and promoter Rana Balachauria alias Kanwar Digvijay Singh was shot dead during the Kabaddi tournament in Mohali. The attackers came near on the pretext of taking selfies and fled after firing. Police is investigating from all angles including gang war.
Mohali. A sensational incident that took place during the Kabaddi tournament in Mohali, Punjab has shaken the entire state. Amidst the applause and noise of the game, suddenly the sound of bullets echoed in the field and within no time the life of a budding Kabaddi player ended. 30-year-old Kabaddi player Kanwar Digvijay Singh, popularly known as Rana Balachauria, was shot dead by unidentified assailants. This incident is not just a murder but has emerged as a big question on the law and order situation of Punjab. Now it has come to light that Gopi Ghanshyampuria gang has taken responsibility for the murder of Rana Balachoria.
When and where did the incident happen?
This horrific incident took place in Sohana area of Mohali, where a private Kabaddi tournament was being organised. At around 6 pm on Monday evening, when a crowd of spectators was present in the field and the matches were at their peak, then 2 to 3 unknown youths reached the field. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers introduced themselves as fans of Rana and approached him on the pretext of taking selfies. No one had any idea that the next moment bullets would be fired.
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Why was he shot on the pretext of selfie?
Eyewitnesses told the police that initially the behavior of the attackers was absolutely normal. He talked to Rana, took out his mobile and as soon as he came near to take a selfie, he suddenly started firing. Some people first thought that firecrackers were bursting, but when people started falling on the ground, they realized that it was bullets. The attackers also fired in the air to spread panic and then fled on a motorcycle.
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What was told in the hospital?
Critically injured Rana Balachauria was immediately taken to Fortis Hospital, Mohali. According to the hospital, he was brought in with gunshot wounds at 6:05 pm, but despite best efforts by doctors, he was declared dead. As soon as this news spread, there was a wave of mourning in the sports world and their fans.
Who was Rana Balachauria alias Kanwar Digvijay Singh?
Kanwar Digvijay Singh, also known as Rana Balachauria or Balraj Rana, was not just a Kabaddi player but also a tournament promoter. He was a professional Kabaddi player, private tournament organiser, social media influencer and model and actor. He had more than 25,000 followers on his Instagram account. He was very popular among the youth and was trying to take Kabaddi forward at a professional level.
Was Rana related to any dispute or gang?
Was this murder the result of some enmity or gang war? On this question, Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans clearly said that the matter is under investigation. No gang or personal rivalry has been officially confirmed yet. However, Kabaddi players have been murdered in Punjab before, so this angle cannot be ignored.
Have Kabaddi players been murdered before?
This is not the first time that the Kabaddi ground has been stained with blood. In 2022, Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian was murdered in Mallian Kalan, Jalandhar. In October 2024, player Teja Singh was shot dead in broad daylight in Jagraon. These incidents had already raised questions on the law and order situation of Punjab.
Why did politics heat up after this murder?
- After the murder of Rana Balachauria, opposition parties launched a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann government.
- Congress, SAD and BJP described law and order as a complete failure.
- Congress leader Raja Waring said, “Playgrounds have now become shooting grounds.”
- Pratap Singh Bajwa called it the failure of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
- Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leader Ashwini Sharma accused of gangster raj.
- The opposition says that criminals have no fear in Punjab.
Are the players safe in Punjab now?
When bullets can be fired in an open field, amidst a crowd, in a live tournament, how safe will the common citizen feel? The murder of Rana Balachauria is not just the death of a player, but a warning that if strict steps are not taken in time, the situation may worsen.