Shamli: Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was shot dead outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district on Wednesday evening, sending shockwaves through the local music fraternity and triggering protests by his family and supporters.
Baliyan, 35, was returning to his car after finishing his workout when armed assailants opened fire in the Aryapuri area of Shamli. Police said several rounds were fired during the attack. He suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead after the shooting. Investigators have since begun examining CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the attackers and establish the motive.
The killing has taken a new turn with a social media post claiming to be from the Gogi gang surfacing after the incident. The authenticity of the post and its alleged connection with the gang are yet to be established, and Shamli Police are examining the claim as part of their investigation.
According to the contents of the viral post, Baliyan was allegedly targeted over a song said to have been based on the killing of gangster Jitendra Gogi inside Delhi’s Rohini Court. Police are also looking into whether any previous dispute or rivalry could have played a role in the murder.
Attack after gym session
The incident took place as Baliyan was leaving a gym he had reportedly been visiting regularly. Police teams reached the spot soon after the shooting and began collecting evidence. Officials have said that the immediate motive has not yet been conclusively established.
Reports have differed over the exact number of shots fired, with accounts putting the figure at more than a dozen and some reporting around 20 rounds. What is clear is that the attack was carried out by multiple armed men, who fled after the shooting.
Police are investigating several possible angles, including an alleged old rivalry and potential connections to Haryana. Baliyan was also reportedly preparing to enter local politics and was considering contesting the upcoming district panchayat elections, another aspect investigators are examining.
Family blocks road, demands arrests
The murder led to anger among Baliyan’s family members, villagers and supporters. Following the incident, protesters blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road near the crime scene, demanding that the attackers be identified and arrested.
The family has insisted on swift action against those responsible. Police have formed multiple teams and are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the targeted attack.
Music career and controversial themes
Baliyan had established a presence in the Haryanvi music scene through songs and music videos built around rural life, regional identity, local rivalries and a strong ‘desi’ persona. He also maintained an active YouTube presence and worked with several artists from the Haryanvi music industry.
One of his best-known tracks, Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge Meri Jaan, had a particularly violent theme and became closely associated with his public image. Other songs linked to his music catalogue include 112 NE, System, Jaat Jatni, Riflein and Ek Khatola Jail Ke Bhitar.
His social media activity also extended beyond music. Baliyan had appeared in political and social discussions through podcasts and videos and had reportedly been exploring a future in local politics. His public persona, music and online content are now being examined in the backdrop of the murder.
The circumstances have created a grim coincidence around Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge Meri Jaan, given that the singer himself was killed in a shooting. However, police have not established any direct connection between the song and his murder.
For now, investigators are focused on identifying the shooters, determining who ordered the attack and verifying the claims circulating on social media. The alleged Gogi gang connection remains a part of the investigation rather than a confirmed finding.
