Panipat Welcomes Virat Kohli's Vault Fitness Brand as Anti-Corruption Cases Pile Up
Panipat is in the news on multiple fronts this week. The city entered the premium fitness market with the opening of Vault by Virat Kohli, the cricketer-backed chain that secured more than 250 memberships before opening day. At the same time, two separate corruption cases — a Central Bureau of Investigation arrest at the DGFT office and an Anti-Corruption Bureau trap of a local patwari — have drawn attention to accountability issues within the city's administrative machinery.
🏢 Vault by Virat Kohli Opens 10,000-Square-Foot Club in Model Town
India's premium franchise-led fitness chain Vault by Virat Kohli has opened its newest club at 494, Ring Road, Model Town, Panipat. The facility spans approximately 10,000 square feet and is designed to bring the brand's signature blend of high-end equipment and functional training environments to the city's fitness community for the first time. The presale phase generated strong demand, with more than 250 memberships secured before the club's official opening. Vault founder Mukesh Gogia said Panipat had always stood out as a market with a strong but underserved appetite for organised, premium fitness. He described the club as part of the brand's larger vision of making high-quality fitness accessible beyond metropolitan centres. The new Panipat location is part of a strategy to grow in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across Haryana. Vault has already announced plans to expand further in Panipat and into the neighbouring city of Sonipat, citing continued demand and confidence in the long-term market potential of the region. The chain, which carries Virat Kohli's brand name and backing, aims to replicate its metro-standard design and community ethos in smaller markets. [1]
CBI Arrests DGFT Official in Panipat in Rs 30,000 Bribery Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Assistant Directorate General of Foreign Trade officer Hemlata Hedau, who was posted at the Joint DGFT office in Panipat, in connection with an alleged bribery of Rs 30,000. The arrest was made on August 19, 2026, according to ANI, and relates to Hedau's conduct while handling foreign trade matters at the Panipat office. The DGFT office in Panipat processes documentation and approvals relevant to local textile and manufacturing exporters, sectors in which the city has a significant economic stake. A separate anti-corruption case in the same reporting period saw Panipat's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) catch a local patwari accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000, even as a broader revenue officer strike was under way in the district. In that case, a helper who was posing as the officer was also detained. The back-to-back arrests have intensified scrutiny of public officials in the district at a time when the Haryana government has been emphasising a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. [5]
Great Khali Escapes Unhurt After SUV Accident at Panipat Toll Plaza
Professional wrestling icon Dalip Singh Rana, known internationally as The Great Khali, escaped uninjured after his SUV was involved in an accident at a toll plaza in Panipat on August 30, 2026. Videos of the incident circulated on social media and prompted concern among his fans, who saw footage of the damaged vehicle. Khali addressed the situation promptly on Instagram, assuring his followers that he was absolutely fine and describing the incident as no big deal. The 54-year-old wrestler, who remains one of the most recognisable Indian names in professional wrestling history, noted that the car had sustained minor damage but that nobody in the vehicle was hurt. Both NDTV and the Times of India covered the story, reflecting the level of public interest in a figure who has continued to maintain a strong following in his home state of Haryana. Khali's quick and calm social media response helped contain the concern that had spread following the circulation of accident footage online. [7]
Sources: [1] Retail & Leisure International · [5] ANI News · [7] NDTV