Rival Gangs jailed for Armed Brawl at Derby Kabaddi Event

Seven men have been jailed for taking part in a large-scale brawl involving machetes and guns at a Kabaddi event in Derby.

Violence broke out between rival gangs who attended the tournament in Alvaston on August 20, 2023, leaving several people injured.

Police were called to the scene just before 4 pm after reports of shots being fired and people fighting with weapons.

The fight had been pre-planned with a group meeting in Brunswick Street.

Parminder Singh had attended the meeting and drone footage showed him wearing a face covering and with his hood up.

He was also seen moving towards a hedge between two fields.

Police later found a shoulder bag in the area which contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

Parminder Singh’s DNA was found on the weapon and the bag. During the violence, he was hit by a bullet in the groin and had to have it surgically removed.

He was convicted of violent disorder and possession of a firearm.

Malkeet Singh was part of the other group and was also involved in the violence before he was assaulted and suffered head injuries. He was convicted of violent disorder.

Hardev Uppal and Malkeet travelled to the scene.

Footage shows him firing a gun and a shot hitting Parminder.

Hardev was then assaulted by members of the rival group and suffered a fractured skull. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and wounding.

Doodhnath Tripathi was part of a group that attacked Malkeet with swords and other weapons. Video footage shows him hitting Malkeet Singh with a sword. He pleaded guilty to wounding.

Karamjit Singh was caught on camera brandishing two swords. He was then involved in the violence before putting the machetes in a car and fleeing the scene. He admitted possession of a bladed article and violent disorder.

Jagjit Singh fired a gun during the Kabaddi event. He admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Meanwhile, Baljit Singh was involved in the violent disorder and also was in possession of a weapon.

Watch the Footage at the Kabaddi Event. Warning – Violence

At Derby Crown Court, the seven men received the following sentences:

• Malkeet Singh – Jailed for three years
• Parminder Singh – Jailed for six years and six months
• Karamjit Singh – Jailed for four years and six months
• Jagjit Singh – Jailed for four years and six months
• Baljit Singh – Jailed for three years and nine months
• Doodhnath Tripathi – Jailed for five years and 10 months
• Hardev Uppal – Jailed for 10 years and 10 months

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, the Senior Investigating Officer, said:

“This should have been a fun family day out at a sporting event but it descended into a huge violent disorder which left multiple people injured and many people in fear for their safety.

“These men attended this event with the specific intention of causing trouble having pre-planned their attack and arming themselves with weapons.

“Their actions and the level of violence seen on this day was abhorrent.”

“For the many people who attended the event with good intentions, this was a very frightening and upsetting scene and we are grateful to them, as well as the wider community, for all of their help with our investigation throughout.

“We know this investigation has had a huge impact on people and I’d like to thank all those who have helped us bring these seven men to justice as well as all of the officers involved in what has been a long and very complex investigation.”

Detective Constable Stevie Barker, who led the investigation, added:

“These men showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others during this event, which was intended to be a fun sporting tournament but ended with mindless violence caused by these two groups.

“Their actions on the day left a number of people with physical injuries and also had a mental and emotional impact on the hundreds of spectators who were there to enjoy the Kabaddi tournament with their friends and families.

“The subsequent investigation into this disorder has been very complex and wide-ranging, involving hundreds of officers, not just from Derbyshire but across the country and I’d like to thank them for all of their help.

“I’m also very grateful to the local community for their support in the days and weeks that followed this incident as I know it did have a significant impact on them.”