Panchkula nightclub owner critical after Sector-5 shooting; Rohit Godara link probed
Synopsis
A nightclub owner shot in Panchkula's upscale Sector-5 isn't just another firing — an alleged audio message in gangster Rohit Godara's name, talk of a ₹3-4 crore extortion warning, and prior threats from Donny Bal have turned a local crime into a possible organised-crime flashpoint in Haryana's nightlife belt.
Key Takeaways
Nightclub owner Ratan Lubana was shot outside Swiss Lodge in Sector-5, Panchkula on 4 June and remains critical.
Eyewitnesses reported 8-9 rounds fired by attackers who arrived on a motorcycle; Lubana took bullets to the abdomen and shoulder.
An alleged audio message in the name of gangster Rohit Godara , referencing a ₹3-4 crore dispute, is under forensic verification.
Lubana had reportedly received earlier threats from gangster Donny Bal ; gang rivalry, extortion and personal enmity are all being probed.
He was treated at Civil Hospital Sector-6, then referred to PGIMER Chandigarh , and later shifted to a private hospital in Mohali .
A Panchkula nightclub owner, Ratan Lubana, was left critically injured after unidentified assailants opened fire on him outside the Swiss Lodge in the upscale Sector-5 locality of Haryana on Wednesday, officials said on 4 June. The case has taken a sharper turn with the surfacing of an alleged audio message purportedly linked to gangster Rohit Godara, prompting investigators to examine organised crime and extortion angles.
How the attack unfolded
According to officials, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and fired multiple rounds at Lubana outside the nightclub. Eyewitnesses reportedly said around eight to nine shots were fired in quick succession, triggering panic among residents and passersby in one of Panchkula's busiest commercial zones.
Lubana sustained two gunshot wounds — one bullet reportedly struck his abdomen and exited the body, while another hit his shoulder, officials said.
Hospital transfers and treatment
Lubana was first rushed to the Civil Hospital in Sector-6, Panchkula, for initial treatment before being referred to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. His family subsequently shifted him to a private hospital in Mohali for further care, where he remains critical.
The Rohit Godara audio angle
The investigation gained fresh significance after an alleged phone call and audio message were reportedly received on Lubana's mobile phone in the name of gangster Rohit Godara. According to sources, the message allegedly warned that paying ₹3-4 crore to rivals would inevitably invite consequences such as the attack, and reportedly sought direct communication with Lubana.
Sources familiar with the development claimed the recording contains indications that the caller took responsibility for the shooting. However, police officials have not officially confirmed the authenticity of the audio, and a detailed technical and forensic analysis is underway.
Multiple angles under the scanner
Police sources said reports had earlier surfaced of alleged threats received by Lubana from gangster Donny Bal. Investigators are now examining gang rivalry, extortion demands, personal enmity, and organised criminal activity as parallel lines of inquiry.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Vikram Nehra and Sector-5 Station House Officer Lalit Kumar reached the spot soon after the incident with police personnel. Teams collected forensic evidence and began reviewing CCTV footage from cameras installed in the vicinity.
What happens next
Police officials said special teams have been formed to identify and apprehend those involved in the shooting, with the probe relying on CCTV footage, mobile location analysis, and technical evidence. Sector-5, known for its active nightlife and several clubs and restaurants, remains under regular patrolling and security checkpoints. Further details are awaited as forensic verification of the audio progresses.
Point of View
Which makes a daylight-style hit outside a known nightclub all the more telling. If the Rohit Godara audio holds up to forensic scrutiny, this fits a wider pattern of northern Indian gangsters using extortion calls to project reach far beyond their physical base. The parallel mention of threats from Donny Bal suggests Lubana may have been caught in a multi-gang squeeze — a scenario Haryana Police has struggled to neutralise despite repeated crackdowns. The real test now is whether the investigation moves beyond CCTV trails to the financial trails that sustain these networks.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ratan Lubana and what happened to him?
Ratan Lubana is a nightclub owner in Panchkula who was shot and critically injured outside the Swiss Lodge in Sector-5 on 4 June. He sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and shoulder after attackers on a motorcycle fired several rounds at him.
What is the Rohit Godara angle in the Panchkula shooting?
Investigators are examining an alleged audio message received on Lubana's phone in the name of gangster Rohit Godara, which reportedly referenced a ₹3-4 crore dispute and suggested the caller's involvement in the attack. Police have not officially confirmed the authenticity of the recording, and a forensic analysis is underway.
Where is Ratan Lubana being treated?
Lubana was first taken to the Civil Hospital in Sector-6, Panchkula, then referred to PGIMER Chandigarh. His family later shifted him to a private hospital in Mohali, where he remains in critical condition.
Are other gangsters being investigated in the case?
Yes. Police sources said Lubana had reportedly received earlier threats from gangster Donny Bal. Investigators are examining gang rivalry, extortion demands, personal enmity and organised crime as possible motives.
What is the police doing to trace the attackers?
Special teams have been formed and are reviewing CCTV footage from Sector-5, conducting mobile phone location analysis, and collecting forensic evidence from the scene. Senior officers including DSP Vikram Nehra and SHO Lalit Kumar are supervising the investigation.
