Kabaddi promoter Kunwar Digvijay Rana Balachauria was shot dead. (File Photo)
Kabaddi promoter Kunwar Digvijay Rana Balachauria, who was shot dead during a Kabaddi Cup event at Sohana on December 15, was allegedly robbed of his valuables while being rushed to hospital after the attack.
According to the complaint filed by his father Kanwar Rajiv Singh, a resident of Balachaur, some unidentified persons stole Rana’s gold jewellery, licensed .45 bore pistol and iPhone during the chaotic moments following the shooting. Acting on the complaint, the Sohana police registered a case against unknown accused.
In his statement, Rana’s father said that his son’s eight-tola gold chain, 10-tola gold kada (bracelet) and iPhone 16 went missing and have not been traced so far.
Confirming the development, DSP (City-2) Harsimran Singh Bal said, “A case has been registered against unknown persons. The matter is under investigation. The stolen items will also be recovered.”
Sources claim that the person who removed Rana’s .45 bore pistol from the waist of one of the event managers was dressed in Nihang attire. The same manager later told the police that he had taken Rana’s iPhone and pistol for safekeeping, but amid the tense situation, another man dressed as a Nihang introduced himself as Rana’s associate and took the pistol from his waist.
Due to the critical condition of Rana and the urgency to shift him to hospital, the manager could not verify the man’s identity. Taking advantage of the situation, the individual dressed as Nihang allegedly fled with the pistol.
It is being claimed that the Nihang who stole the pistol is a resident of Malout village near Bathinda. The Mohali police reportedly reached his village and spoke to his family, urging them to convince him to return the weapon. However, the suspect is currently believed to be staying in Mohali and is not in touch with his family. Police teams are now searching for him in Mohali.
Meanwhile, Rupinder Singh Rupa Sohana, the main organiser of the Kabaddi Cup and considered close to Punjabi singer Mankirt Aulakh, made a public appeal to return Rana’s stolen jewellery. Addressing the media, he urged the person who took the 10-tola gold chain and five-tola gold kada to return them discreetly.
He said, “Whoever has taken the jewellery should return it secretly. We are ready to pay the full value of the items in return. We just want to ensure that Rana’s parents get their son’s last memories back.”
Rupa Sohana also warned that if the police trace the accused later, “no help will be possible”, and appealed to the person involved to come forward voluntarily and return the belongings.