Chandigarh: The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has made significant progress in the murder case of kabaddi promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, also known as Rana Balachauria. On January 12, the police arrested three suspects from Howrah, West Bengal, including two main shooters.
The arrests were made following an intelligence-driven multi-state operation conducted in Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced this development on Monday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Karan Pathak, alias Karan Default, from Amritsar, Tarandeep Singh from Barhewala in Ludhiana, and Akashdeep from Upala in Tarn Taran. Karan and Tarandeep are reported to be the primary shooters, while Akashdeep is a close relative of international handler Amar Khabe Rajput, who allegedly provided shelter and logistical support to the shooters. The operation also involved significant cooperation from police forces in Sikkim, Mumbai, West Bengal STF, central agencies, and local police in Howrah.
DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the suspects are being brought back to Punjab, and further interrogation is ongoing. Efforts to locate and arrest other accomplices are being intensified to fully uncover the case. DIG of AGTF, Gurmeet Singh Chohan, shared insights into the operation, noting that an immediate investigation was launched following the murder due to clear indicators of organized crime, gang wars, and the involvement of foreign handlers. Extensive analysis of CCTV footage helped recreate the events before and after the crime, identify the vehicles used, and trace the escape route to the Panipat toll.
By tracking the digital footprints of the suspects, the AGTF team reached Mumbai, Bengaluru, Siliguri, Sikkim, Gangtok, and Kolkata. A team led by DSP Rajan Parminder, with assistance from Kolkata STF, apprehended the suspects in Howrah. Both shooters have criminal backgrounds, and the investigation is ongoing.
Rana Balachauria was shot dead on December 15, 2025, during a Kabaddi Tournament in Sasa Nagar, Sohna. The attackers approached him under the pretense of taking a selfie before opening fire. To date, a total of five suspects have been arrested, including Aishdeep Singh and Davinder. One suspect, Harpinder Singh alias Middu, was killed in a police encounter in December.