Aakash Malik | Shamli8 hours ago
Murder resembling the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala has been reported in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, where 32 year old Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan was shot dead outside a gym on Wednesday evening.
The attackers allegedly fired around 18 rounds as he stepped out, hitting him five times in the head and abdomen.
CCTV footage from the incident has surfaced, showing four suspected attackers arriving on two motorcycles outside the gym. Meanwhile, the Haryana-based Gogi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder.
Bholu Shahpuriya of Sonipat, who is allegedly associated with the gang, shared a post on Instagram claiming responsibility,
I, Bholu Shahpuriya from Sonipat, take full responsibility for Ankit Baliyan’s murder in Shamli. He supported our enemies and made a song about the incident involving our brother Gogi. He has paid the price. Whoever supports our enemies will meet the same fate. This is just the beginning.
The police have begun investigating the Instagram post. Ankit Baliyan rose to fame with his song “Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge Meri Jaan”. In 2023, he was also embroiled in controversy over a roadshow in Shamli. These days, Ankit was preparing for the district panchayat elections in Shamli. Although he became famous for Haryanvi songs, he was born in Shamli itself.
It may be noted that Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead on May 29, 2022, in Jawaharke village in Punjab’s Mansa district. Gangster Goldy Brar, based in Canada, and jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the murder.
See 3 pictures…
Before his murder, Ankit was working on 20 new songs, their shooting was scheduled to begin soon in the villages of Shamli
CCTV recording was recovered, showing four youths riding two motorcycles outside the gym before the incident
Post was shared late at night from Bholu Shahpuriya’s account
Find out what has happened so far in the murder case
- Ankit was from Bantikheda and had also lived in Sonipat: Ankit Baliyan was a resident of Bantikheda village in Shamli and had been living in Sonipat, Haryana.However, he had been staying in his native village with his family for the past few months. His father, Satbir, is a retired soldier, while his mother, Amresh, is a homemaker.Ankit was the elder of two brothers; his younger brother is Vicky. He was married, but the couple had no children.
- Attackers opened Scorpio door and fired a barrage of bullets: Ankit went to the Aryapuri drain track in the City Kotwali area at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday for his regular workout.At around 7 p.m., as soon as he stepped out of the gym, the attackers allegedly fired around 18 rounds at him. Eyewitnesses said the attackers appeared to have been waiting outside the gym.Ankit tried to get into his Scorpio to escape, but the attackers rushed towards him, forcibly opened the vehicle’s door and fired at him.
- Police from 3 districts investigating; 4 teams sent to Haryana: Following the murder, Ankit’s family blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road near Verma Market intersection.His mother sat on the road holding his body in her lap, around 50 metres from the gym where he was shot. Protesters demanded the suspension of the entire Shamli police administration.Meerut Zone ADG Bhanu Bhaskar and Saharanpur Range DIG Abhishek Singh reached the spot and spoke to Ankit’s father. The blockade was lifted around midnight.
- Body handed over to family on Thursday morning: Ankit’s body was sent for post-mortem late Wednesday night, with the procedure videographed. It was handed over to the family on Thursday morning, after which relatives gathered at their home.Around 30 police personnel have been deployed outside the house for security. Meerut ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said police teams from Shamli, Baghpat and Muzaffarnagar are investigating the case, while four teams have been sent to Haryana. Police are also probing the suspected involvement of the Gogi gang.
See 3 pictures related to the incident…
3 bullets struck the windshield of Ankit’s Scorpio, several cartridges were scattered on the road
Ankit was hit by five bullets in the stomach and head, he died on the spot
After the incident, people placed Ankit’s body on the road and blocked traffic. Ankit’s mother was inconsolable
Posted a new song an hour before the murder
- Posted a song at 6 p.m., an hour before he was killed: At around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, exactly an hour before the murder, Ankit posted a song on Instagram.In the video, he was seen sitting in a car and singing a line about shooting someone in the street. His song “We’ll Shoot You in a Packed Courtroom” was released on February 15, 2023.The song was later banned and helped him gain recognition in the Haryanvi music industry.
- FIR registered over roadshow in 2023: An FIR was also registered against Ankit Baliyan in Shamli over a roadshow in 2023. On 27 July that year, a welcome ceremony was organised for him at the Lilaun bypass, followed by a procession involving a convoy of cars and motorcycles.The event had not been authorised by the administration. Some supporters allegedly created a disturbance during the roadshow, following which an FIR was registered against Ankit and 40 of his supporters.
Ankit’s supporters gathered at the Verma Market intersection in the city
Police investigating multiple possible angles
During the initial investigation, police learned about an argument between Ankit and another singer in Rohtak around six months ago. Following the dispute, Ankit reportedly reduced the time he spent in Rohtak and began staying more often in Bantikheda.
However, he continued to visit Rohtak and nearby areas for work. Police are investigating whether the dispute could be linked to his murder.
Police are also checking whether Ankit had received any threats in the past and are gathering information about his previous disputes and contacts.
Investigators are examining old enmity, personal disputes, contract killing and other possible motives. CCTV footage, mobile phone locations and his recent contacts are also being analysed.
Akhilesh says political rivalry angle should also be probed
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has raised questions over law and order in Uttar Pradesh.
In a social media post, he said the Jat community was angry over the incident and viewing it as an attack on the community. He also called for the murder to be investigated from the angle of political rivalry.
