Punjab Police nab kabaddi murder shooter Aditya Kapoor from Agartala
Synopsis
The last fugitive in a high-profile kabaddi promoter murder has been caught — not in Punjab, but in Agartala, Tripura. Punjab Police's Operation Shadow Hunt cracked a case that exposed how foreign-based handlers are directing gang violence at public sporting events, with all six accused now behind bars.
Key Takeaways
Aditya Kapoor , alias Makhan , arrested from Agartala, Tripura on 5 May 2025 for the murder of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria .
Kapoor carries at least 14 criminal cases including murder, extortion, and NDPS offences.
The killing occurred at a kabaddi tournament in Sohana village, Mohali on 15 December 2025 .
All six accused — including three shooters — are now in custody following a series of interstate operations.
The operation, codenamed "Shadow Hunt" , was conducted jointly with Central agencies and Tripura Police .
Investigators say the killing was directed by foreign-based handlers , pointing to a transnational organised crime angle.
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested Aditya Kapoor, a key shooter in the murder of kabaddi promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria, following an interstate operation codenamed "Shadow Hunt" that tracked him to Agartala, Tripura. State Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrest on Monday, 5 May 2025, describing it as a breakthrough against organised crime in Punjab.
Who Is Aditya Kapoor
Aditya Kapoor, also known by the alias Makhan, is a resident of Amritsar with at least 14 criminal cases registered against him, spanning murder, attempt to murder, extortion, armed robbery, NDPS violations, and Arms Act offences, according to officials. He had been absconding since the killing and was the last of the key accused to evade arrest in this case.
The Murder of Rana Balachauria
Kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria was shot dead by assailants during a kabaddi tournament at Sohana village in Mohali on 15 December 2025. According to investigators, the killing was a planned execution carried out on the directions of foreign-based handlers. The brazen attack at a public sporting event drew significant attention to the nexus between organised crime and sports events in Punjab.
How the Operation Unfolded
Additional Director General of Police (AGTF) Promod Ban said that intelligence inputs were received about Kapoor's whereabouts, prompting the launch of Operation Shadow Hunt. A police team under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Parminder Singh was dispatched to Agartala, where the accused was apprehended in coordination with Central agencies and Tripura Police.
This follows an earlier interstate arrest in Howrah, West Bengal, where two shooters — Karan Pathak, alias Karan Defaulter, and Tarandeep Singh — were nabbed along with their associate Akashdeep.
All Six Accused Now in Custody
With Kapoor's arrest, all six accused linked to the murder — including three shooters — are now in custody, DGP Yadav confirmed. Two earlier arrests, Aishdeep Singh and Davinder, were made for providing logistical support to the shooters. Investigators are now expected to focus on identifying and pursuing the foreign-based handlers who reportedly directed the killing.
Point of View
But the more troubling detail is what it reveals: a foreign-based handler network directing targeted killings at public events in Punjab. Three of the six accused were caught in states far from Punjab — West Bengal and Tripura — underscoring how gangster networks exploit India's inter-state mobility to evade local law enforcement. The AGTF's cross-state coordination is commendable, but the persistent role of overseas handlers in Punjab's gang violence points to a systemic challenge that arrests alone cannot resolve.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aditya Kapoor and why was he arrested?
Aditya Kapoor, alias Makhan, is a resident of Amritsar arrested for his role as a shooter in the murder of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria in Mohali on 15 December 2025. He was apprehended from Agartala, Tripura, by Punjab Police's AGTF during Operation Shadow Hunt on 5 May 2025.
Who was Rana Balachauria and how was he killed?
Rana Balachauria, whose real name was Kanwar Digvijay Singh, was a kabaddi promoter shot dead by assailants during a kabaddi tournament at Sohana village in Mohali on 15 December 2025. Investigators say the killing was a planned execution carried out on directions from foreign-based handlers.
How many accused have been arrested in the Rana Balachauria murder case?
A total of six accused, including three shooters, have been arrested in connection with the murder. The arrests were made across multiple states — Punjab, West Bengal, and Tripura — through a series of coordinated interstate operations.
What was Operation Shadow Hunt?
Operation Shadow Hunt was an interstate operation launched by Punjab Police's AGTF in coordination with Central agencies and Tripura Police to locate and arrest Aditya Kapoor. A police team led by DSP Rajan Parminder Singh tracked Kapoor to Agartala, where he was apprehended.
Who are the other accused arrested in this case?
Earlier arrests include shooters Karan Pathak (alias Karan Defaulter) and Tarandeep Singh, along with their associate Akashdeep, who were caught from Howrah, West Bengal. Two others — Aishdeep Singh and Davinder — were arrested for providing logistical support to the shooters.
