Chandigarh: The search for two accused still absconding in the murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan has intensified, with Shamli Police doubling the reward for information leading to their arrest to Rs 1 lakh each.
The two accused have been identified as Satyam and Aryan, both residents of Haryana. Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for information leading to their arrest.
Balyan, 32, was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli on August 26. According to police, four attackers travelling on two motorcycles allegedly opened fire at the singer while he was walking towards his car.
Who Are The Two Accused Still Wanted In Ankit Balyan Murder Case?
Shamli Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh said police teams were searching for Satyam and Aryan and conducting raids at suspected hideouts.
The reward on each of the two accused has now been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh as the manhunt expands.
Police teams have been carrying out searches in Uttar Pradesh as well as other states. Investigators are also examining the movements of the accused before and after Balyan’s killing as they attempt to establish the full sequence of events.
Two Suspected Shooters Killed In Police Encounter
The latest development comes days after two other suspected shooters in the case, Mohit, 22, and Sumit, 24, were killed in an encounter with police in Shamli on August 31.
Police said three pistols and 26 cartridges were recovered from the two men following the encounter.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna had described Balyan’s murder as a “pre-planned conspiracy”.
Investigators are also probing the suspected involvement of a network linked to the Gogi gang. The investigation into the alleged conspiracy and the possible roles of other individuals remains underway.
Ankit Balyan Shot Dead Outside Gym On August 26
According to investigators, Balyan was leaving a gym and heading towards his vehicle when the assailants allegedly attacked him.
Four attackers were said to have arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The singer’s family later welcomed the police action in which the two suspected shooters were killed, while demanding action against the remaining accused.
Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary also met Balyan’s family following the encounter and urged them to maintain faith in the police and legal process.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke to the bereaved family and extended his party’s support.
Police, meanwhile, continue to investigate both the murder and the alleged larger conspiracy behind it, with the immediate focus now on tracing Satyam and Aryan.
