Seven Indian-origin people aged between 24 and 36 have been convicted for their involvement in a violent riot at a kabaddi tournament in Derby, East Midlands, England. The court found them guilty on several charges including intent to endanger life.
Two of the seven Indian-origin players, Parminder Singh, 25, and Malkit Singh, 24, were convicted of violent disorder and gun possession by a jury last week.
While five Indian-origin players – Karamjit Singh, 36, Baljit Singh, 33, Hardev Uppal, 34, Jagjit Singh, 31, and Doodhnath Tripathi, 30 – pleaded guilty to various offences, including possession of a bladed article, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and causing hurt.
Derbyshire Police said violence broke out between two groups during the Alvaston tournament in August last year, resulting in a number of people being injured.
All seven men will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court later.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croom, the senior investigating officer for Derbyshire Police, said: “What should have been an enjoyable day for people attending a sporting event turned into a major violent disturbance which left a number of people injured. We are very grateful to everyone who helped with our investigation.”
preplanned group fight
The violence had been pre-planned, and a group meeting was held on Brunswick Street in Derby prior to the incident.
Parminder Singh, 25, was seen in drone footage walking toward a bush, where police later found a shoulder bag containing a loaded semi-automatic pistol with his DNA on it.
During the fight, Singh was shot in the waist and had to undergo surgery
Malkit Singh, 24, was involved in the violence and suffered head injuries.
Detective Constable Stevie Barker, who led the investigation, said: “Malkit Singh and Parminder Singh showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others during this incident, so I am pleased they have now been convicted for their roles in this very disturbing incident.”
The annual tournament, organised by the England Kabaddi Federation and made up of clubs from the British Punjabi community, resumed in Derby last weekend without incident.