The gangster culture in Punjab has shown its presence once again. The brazen murder of kabaddi player R. Kanwar Digvijay alias Rana Balachauria during a kabaddi tournament in Mohali has sent shockwaves across the state. This murder on the playing field makes it clear that kabaddi in Punjab is no longer just a sport, but has become a major avenue for gangster dominance, power, and extortion.
Following this sensational murder, the Bambhia Gang claimed responsibility through a social media post, alleging that Rana Balachauria worked for Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. They accused him of harboring Sidhu Moosewala's killer and claimed his murder was revenge. This declaration only intensified the case's complexity.
However, police investigations revealed a different story. They uncovered the involvement of the Donny Bal and Lucky Patial gangs in the murder. According to police, these gangs sought to assert their dominance over kabaddi tournaments in Punjab. Suspecting Rana Balachauria of being close to imprisoned gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, they targeted him, gunning him down in broad daylight.
Source: aajtak
The police have identified the shooters as Aditya Kapoor aka Makhan and Karan Pathak aka Default Karan, both residents of Amritsar, with direct ties to the Donny Bal gang. As part of the crackdown, Mohali police and the anti-gangster task force eliminated handler Harjinder aka Middhu in an encounter. He hailed from Naushera Pannuan in Tarn Taran.
The mastermind behind this killing, Aashdeep Singh, was apprehended at Delhi airport. Aashdeep had conspired this murder from Moscow and was attempting to flee to Muscat during his arrest. Police stated that Aashdeep was in contact with gangster Donny Bal from overseas. His revelations led the police to confront and eliminate Harjinder, aka Middhu.
This is not the first case where a kabaddi-linked murder has rocked Punjab. Previously, international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal was murdered during a tournament in Mallian Kalan village, Jalandhar. Similarly, in October this year, a 25-year-old kabaddi player, Teja Singh, was gunned down in Jagraon. Currently, about 70 gangs are believed to be active across Punjab, involved in various criminal activities.
Let's explore the top 5 notorious gangsters active in Punjab...
1. Lawrence Bishnoi
Source: aajtak
Lawrence Bishnoi has become a feared name in the underworld. Born on February 12, 1993, in Dhattaranwali village, Firozpur, Lawrence's father was a constable in the Haryana Police. After completing his LLB from Punjab University, he got involved in student politics, but soon veered into the world of crime. Lawrence’s threats to Salman Khan in 2018 propelled him to national infamy.
Although currently jailed in Gujarat’s Sabarmati, Lawrence operates a network extending from Punjab to international territories with the support of gangster Goldy Brar, who is in Canada. Lawrence’s younger brother, Anmol Bishnoi, was actively involved but extradited from the US and is now incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
Renowned for instilling terror, Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang has been associated with high-profile cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and the assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui. Lawrence’s gang constantly threatens Salman Khan and his associates.
2. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria
Source: aajtak
Jaggu Bhagwanpuria from Bhagwanpur village in Gurdaspur once shared close ties with Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar but now stands as their arch-enemy. Accused in over 128 criminal cases, Jaggu is dubbed
