Karan Pathak, suspect in a 2025 murder, was killed in a police shootout after escaping during transport.

Karan Pathak, the prime suspect in the December 2025 murder of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria, was killed in a police encounter on January 17, 2026, in Mohali, Punjab. He escaped during transport to a hospital after faking chest pain, following a collision caused by fog. Police pursued him for six to seven hours, locating him near Kharar where he opened fire with a .30-bore pistol. Officers returned fire, wounding him; he died later at a hospital. One police officer was injured. Two FIRs were filed—one for the escape, another for the encounter. Authorities are investigating how he obtained a weapon and who may have aided his escape. The case remains under active scrutiny.