Gangster shot dead inside Haryana court complex; 14 rounds fired, 1 arrested

The incident took place near the parking area and main gate of the court complex at around 2.45 pm. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants opened 14 rounds of fire at Panu, firing several rounds within a short span of time.Gangster Vinod Panu alias Kana was shot dead in broad daylight in Haryana’s Hisar court complex on Thursday, sparking panic among lawyers, litigants and others present at the premises. The firing also left another person injured, while the attackers fled the scene after the incident. Vinod was a resident of Thurana village in Hisar.According to police, Panu died while undergoing treatment after sustaining multiple bullet injuries in the attack. Another person was also injured in the firing and is out of danger.The incident took place near the parking area and main gate of the court complex at around 2.45 pm. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants opened 14 rounds of fire at Panu, firing several rounds within a short span of time.Panu tried to flee towards the main gate after the firing began. However, the attackers followed him and fired several more shots at him, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to a hospital in a Fortuner, where doctors later declared him dead. Police said teams reached the spot soon after receiving information about the firing. One suspect was apprehended along with the weapon allegedly used in the crime.Following the incident, senior cop Siddharth Jain said police had acted swiftly and arrested an accused along with the weapon used in the incident. He said another person injured in the firing was out of danger. Police teams, including forensic experts, inspected the crime scene and collected evidence. Fourteen empty cartridges were recovered from the spot, while blood stains and other forensic evidence were also collected from the parking area.The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the motive behind it and the possible involvement of other people.WHO WAS VINOD PANU?Vinod was a resident of Thurana village in Hisar district and was associated with the Panu gang. Police records describe him as a wanted and rewarded criminal.By 2018, a reward of Rs 7 lakh had reportedly been announced for information leading to his arrest. He was also convicted in the 2014 murder of Bitu Sharma and sentenced to life imprisonment.His name also surfaced during a clash between two groups at Hisar Central Jail in 2019.According to police, Panu had 31 criminal cases registered against him under various sections, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder and robbery.OLD RIVALRY SUSPECTEDThe police are probing whether the shooting was linked to an old gang rivalry. Initial information suggested that the attackers could be linked to the Panu gang's rivals, although police have not yet disclosed a definitive motive.Two videos purportedly showing the incident have also surfaced. One shows armed men fleeing after the shooting, while another shows people carrying the injured Vinod in a vehicle before taking him to hospital.Police are examining the videos as part of their investigation and are working to establish the identities and roles of all those involved.SECURITY AT COURT COMPLEX UNDER SCANNERThe firing inside the court complex has also raised questions over security arrangements at the premises.Advocate Association president Pradeep Bajia said the incident highlighted the need for stricter security inside and around the court complex. He said police personnel deployed at the premises should maintain tighter security to prevent such incidents.The police said further action would be taken after examining the evidence collected from the crime scene and establishing the sequence of events.- EndsPublished By: Akash ChatterjeePublished On: Aug 20, 2026 23:57 IST