‘Revenge for Moosewala’ claim triggers probe after kabaddi player Rana Balachauria shot dead in Mohali
Mohali, Punjab – Punjab Police widened their investigation on Monday after an Instagram post claimed responsibility for the murder of kabaddi player Rana Balachauria in Mohali. The post described the killing as “revenge” for the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. Investigators now examine the post as a key lead.
Soon after the shooting, an Instagram reel went viral. The post, written in Punjabi, surfaced from an account that police link to a smaller gang with alleged connections to the Bambiha gang. The reel claimed the attackers targeted Balachauria to avenge Moosewala’s killing. It also alleged that the victim had links with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gangs.
Moreover, the post issued an open warning. It urged players to avoid kabaddi teams that it described as being sponsored by Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. The reel named several individuals and attempted to frame the murder as part of an ongoing gang rivalry. Police officers confirmed they have taken note of the claims and started verifying the account’s authenticity and intent.
Meanwhile, officials stressed that the investigation remains open. They said they will not draw conclusions until forensic, digital, and field evidence supports the social media narrative.
For context, unknown shooters killed Sidhu Moosewala on May 29, 2022, near his village Moosa in Punjab’s Mansa district. Investigators later linked the crime to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Bishnoi remains in jail, yet his name continues to surface in gang-related violence across the state. Despite his short career, Moosewala rose to iconic status after his death. His unreleased songs continue to draw millions of views online.
Against this backdrop, the killing of Rana Balachauria added to growing concerns over public safety. Balachauria, whose real name was Kanwar Digvijay Singh, worked as a kabaddi player and sports event promoter. On Monday evening, he attended a local kabaddi tournament in Mohali’s Sohana area.
According to police, the attack unfolded around 5.30 pm in Sector 82. Hundreds of spectators and players had gathered at the venue. At that moment, teams prepared to enter the field while players warmed up nearby. Suddenly, gunfire rang out and triggered panic.
Eyewitnesses said a group of men arrived near the venue in a Mahindra Bolero. Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans stated that the attackers approached Balachauria under the pretext of taking selfies. Seconds later, they opened fire at close range.
Initially, many spectators mistook the sound for firecrackers. However, fear spread quickly when Balachauria collapsed with gunshot wounds to his head and face. Notably, the livestream of the match captured the sound of firing, which later circulated widely on social media.
Immediately after the shooting, DSP HS Bal, who attended the event as chief guest, rushed Balachauria to Fortis Hospital along with other officers. Doctors later declared him brought dead.
As videos of the incident spread, political reactions followed. Leaders from the BJP and Congress shared clips and questioned the AAP government over law and order in Punjab.
Importantly, the killing fits into a larger pattern of violence in the Chandigarh–Mohali–Panchkula region. On December 1, gunmen killed a gangster linked to the Bishnoi group in Chandigarh’s Sector 26 with 11 bullets. Earlier in November, attackers fired over 30 rounds outside a retired officer’s home in Mohali’s Phase 7, later linking the threat to the Kala Rana gang.
Together, these incidents underline rising gang activity. Police now face mounting pressure to curb violence before it spills further into public spaces.
