Mohali: Soon after gunning down Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balachauria during a kabaddi match in Mohali’s Sohana on Dec 15, 2025, the shooters executed a meticulously choreographed vanishing act—a trail of taxis, trains, and safe houses stretching across six states.
From Panipat’s dusty alleys to Kolkata’s crowded platforms, the killers stayed one step ahead, leaving behind a map of deception and a nation-wide manhunt.Mohali senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans on Wednesday said the shooters initially fled the spot on a motorcycle with the help of accomplices but abandoned the vehicle shortly afterwards to avoid detection.
Detailing the route taken by the shooters, SSP Hans said the two main accused — Karan Pathak alias Karan Defaulter and Aditya Kapoor alias Makhan — first reached Panipat, where they switched to another taxi and reached Delhi. From Delhi, they boarded a train to Mumbai. After a brief halt in Mumbai, the accused moved to Bengaluru, where they stayed for a couple of days before travelling to Kolkata. From Kolkata, they went to Siliguri and, after staying there for a few days, returned to Kolkata in an apparent attempt to mislead the police. It was there that Mohali Police finally tracked them down.A special team led by CIA DSP Rajanparminder Singh arrested three key accused, including one of the shooters, from Howrah Railway Station in Kolkata. SSP Hans said the accused acted on the directions of foreign-based gangsters Balwinder Singh alias Donny Bal and Amarjit Singh alias Khabba. “So far, nine suspects have been arrested in the case. One of the 2 main shooters is still absconding,” the SSP said.The arrested shooter was identified as Karan Pathak (23), a resident of Nimal Mandi, Amritsar, with native links to Uttar Pradesh. Police said Karan, along with Aditya, fired multiple bullets at Rana Balachauria. The SSP said the shooters lived in a rented accommodation in Kharar where they planned the murder. The conspiracy was hatched in Oct 2025, and during the planning phase, the accused stayed in various hotels across Chandigarh, Kalka, Zirakpur and Kharar. One of the accused arranged complete logistical support, including boarding, lodging, transportation and handling of funds sent from abroad.Among those arrested earlier is Tarandeep Singh (25), a resident of Ludhiana, who was present near the crime scene with a motorcycle and facilitated the initial escape of the shooters.
Sukhsherpal Singh alias Akash Uppal (22), a close relative of gangster Amarjit Singh alias Khabba, played a key role in planning the murder. Davinder Singh alias Tinka, a cab driver from Panchkula, arranged taxis and coordinated the interstate movement of the accused.Other arrested accused included Ashdeep Singh, Jugraj Singh alias Jagga, Mandeep Singh alias Mota and Gagandeep Singh alias Karan Sohal. Another accused, Harpinder Singh alias Middi, was earlier killed in a police encounter in the Lalru area.SSP Hans said Balachauria was targeted two times earlier at different locations, but he survived both attempts. He said sustained efforts are underway to arrest the absconding shooter and remaining associates. All arrested accused were produced before the court on Wednesday and taken on police remand for further investigation.
