Ankit Baliyan murder: Two prime accused shot dead in UP Police encounter — what we know so far

Two prime shooters in the Haryanvi singer and actor Ankit Baliyan murder case were shot dead on Monday in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF), in Shamli, news agency ANI reported.

Baliyan was fatally shot in the Shamli district as he stepped out of a gym last Wednesday.

ADG Meerut Bhanu Bhaskar confirmed the incident. He told ANI, “The victim was a singer named Ankit Baliyan... He was a well-known singer with many videos on YouTube. He had been working out at a fitness gym.”

Bhaskar added, “As he stepped out around 6:55 PM, four unidentified individuals arrived in two vehicles and opened fire. He sustained gunshot injuries. Although police personnel were present and immediately rushed him to the Community Health Centre (CHC), the doctors were unable to save him.”

Addressing the media regarding the incident, Shamli Superintendent of Police NP Singh said, "A call was received on Dial 112. Information was received that one Ankit Balyan, hailing from Banti Khera, had come to the gym. As soon as he left the gym, he was shot dead by 3-4 men. We have sent the body to the mortuary. Police teams are working."

Who killed Ankit Baliyan?

A viral social media post allegedly linked to the Gogi gang claimed responsibility for the murder. The post claimed that Baliyan had created a song featuring a similar theme to the killing of Gangster Jitendra Gogi, who was shot dead inside Rohini Court.

Singh said on 27 August that police were investigating the post and were working on the lead to determine whether there was an old dispute involving the Gogi gang and whether it could be linked to Baliyan's killing.

Speaking to ANI, Baliyan's relatives alleged a complete lack of information regarding the attackers after the artist was tragically shot dead outside a gym in Shamli. They said, "The police have assured that action would be taken as soon as possible. We didn't really know the details ourselves. We weren't even at home. To this day, we still don't know who they were or how it happened; we are completely in the dark. We will accept whatever action the police take."

What is family appealing for now?

Baliyan's family has sought help from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the murder investigation of the singer.

His wife expressed disappointment with the lack of arrests and urged Gandhi to visit West Uttar Pradesh and help ensure justice.

She told ANI, “Police are working hard, but there is no ground-level result. Five days have passed, and no arrests have been made so far. This makes us feel that no action is being taken.”

She said, “Sir, our hope is breaking with this police administration and this government as well. So now I want to appeal to Rahul Gandhi ji. Sir, you are a big leader of this country. You had raised the education issue as well; Dharmendra Pradhan ji had to resign. Please listen to our plea as well. A child from our home has left us, sir. Please raise this issue."

“Understand the helplessness of those parents who have lost their young son. Sisters lost their brother a day before Rakshabandhan. You also have a sister; you are also someone's brother. Understand our pain and raise this issue. Rahul Gandhi ji, now we have hope only from you. You do something in this case," Baliyan's wife said.

She continued, "The country listens to him, and among the youth, he has an identity. We have hope in you. The youth of this area are looking towards you, Rahul Gandhi ji. Come to West UP and work on this case. We need people like you. We have hope in you."

Balyan's elder sister also made an emotional appeal to Gandhi to intervene and ensure that her brother's killers are punished.

"Rahul Gandhi ji, I am Ankit's elder sister. I request you that my brother's killers be punished. So far, the central government and the UP government have done nothing. My request to you is: I lost my brother two to three days before Rakhi. You do something; you come and see. This government is not able to do anything. You have done good for the poor by going to their homes. You do something; we request you. We have faith in you," she said.

(With inputs from ANI)