LUCKNOW: The killing of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan in Shamli was a pre-planned operation in which his movements were tracked, weapons were arranged from outside and an escape plan was put in place, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna said on Monday.Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters, Krishna said the investigation had so far indicated the involvement of a network linked to the Gogi gang in the August 26 murder.“The investigation has revealed that before the murder, information about Ankit Baliyan’s activities was collected. It has also emerged that weapons were provided to the shooters from outside and four assailants executed the crime in a planned manner,” the DGP said.
Ankit Baliyan killers changed hideouts
The shooters repeatedly changed their hideouts after the murder, Krishna said.“Police teams constituted after the incident conducted raids at several locations in Uttar Pradesh and other states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh,” Krishna said.Police identified some of the accused on August 29. Two of them, Mohit and Sumit, were killed in a police encounter in Shamli early Monday, the DGP said.Mohit had at least 14 criminal cases against him, while Sumit had one, Krishna said.The investigation has also brought to light the role of a network associated with the Gogi gang, he said.An Instagram account purportedly operated by Rahul alias Bholu Shahpuria had claimed responsibility for Baliyan’s killing on social media on August 26-27.“The investigation into this social media post and the claim of responsibility is also underway,” he said.Krishna said a gang rivalry associated with gangster Jitender Mann alias Gogi, who was killed in a shootout at Delhi’s Rohini court in 2021, had emerged as a factor in the murder.Baliyan had acted in a YouTube song allegedly linked to Gogi’s killing, the DGP said. The singer had earlier received threats over the video and clarified that he had only acted in it and that neither the lyrics nor the tune belonged to him.“Despite this, information has emerged during the investigation that the gang was linking him to the Gogi gang,” he said.The DGP said the investigation indicated that the murder was not a spontaneous crime but a “pre-planned conspiracy”, involving mobilisation of shooters and arrangements for their escape after the killing.“Our objective is not merely to reach the shooters. Those who hatched the conspiracy, provided resources and weapons, got the victim’s movements monitored and provided protection to the accused — the entire chain will be brought within the ambit of law,” Krishna said.Baliyan was shot dead on August 26 after he emerged from a gym in Shamli and was walking towards his car. Police had earlier said four assailants travelling on two motorcycles opened fire on him.Baliyan received five gunshots, including two to the head.The DGP announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for the Shamli police and STF personnel involved in Monday’s operation.“Let me assure through the media that the Uttar Pradesh Police’s action will not end here. The role of every person involved in this crime will be determined and strict legal action will be taken against them,” Krishna said.“Those sitting outside Uttar Pradesh’s borders and conspiring to commit crimes should not labour under the illusion that the distance will keep them beyond the reach of law,” he added.Baliyan’s father Satbir Singh, his wife Seema and sister Reena praised the police work and hoped that the remaining people involved in the killing would be arrested soon.(With PTI inputs)
