Shamli (Balwinder Singh): The murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan outside a gym in Shamli has taken a fresh turn after a social media post allegedly claiming responsibility in the name of the Gogi gang surfaced online. Police are now examining the authenticity of the post while investigating the circumstances surrounding the targeted killing.
Baliyan was attacked on Wednesday evening shortly after he stepped out of a gym in the City Kotwali area. According to police, three to four armed men were involved in the attack. They allegedly opened fire as the singer made his way towards his vehicle. He sustained multiple bullet injuries and died following the shooting.
The incident reportedly took place around 7 pm. Preliminary accounts suggest that the attackers had been waiting near the gym and fled after carrying out the assault. Police have begun examining CCTV recordings from the surrounding area in an attempt to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.
Social media post under scanner
The case gained another dimension when a post attributed to the Gogi gang appeared following the killing. The message allegedly linked Baliyan’s murder to a song and an old dispute involving the gang. However, police have not yet confirmed that the post was genuinely issued by the gang.
Shamli Superintendent of Police N.P. Singh said investigators are checking the social media claim and looking into whether any previous dispute could have a connection with the murder. Authorities are also considering other possible motives instead of relying solely on the online claim.
According to the alleged post, the singer had created a song based on themes associated with the killing of gangster Jitendra Gogi inside Delhi’s Rohini Court. Investigators are now checking whether this alleged connection has any relevance to the attack.
Protests after singer’s death
The killing sparked anger among Baliyan’s family members, supporters and local residents. Following his death, protesters blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar road and demanded that the attackers be arrested at the earliest.
Police have constituted multiple teams to work on the case. Investigators are looking at CCTV footage, possible rivalries and personal disputes while trying to establish who planned the attack and why Baliyan was targeted.
A rising face in Haryanvi music
Baliyan had built a following through Haryanvi music and YouTube, where his work often revolved around rural identity, local issues and the aggressive ‘desi’ image commonly seen in regional pop culture. He had also expanded his online presence through podcasts and discussions involving social and political issues.
His popular tracks included Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge, 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, System, Riflein and Jaat Jatni. His song Bhari Court Mein Goli Marenge had reportedly crossed millions of views online, contributing significantly to his recognition in the Haryanvi music space.
Baliyan was also reportedly preparing to enter local politics and was considering contesting the district panchayat elections. Police are examining whether this aspect of his public life could have any bearing on the killing.
For now, the alleged Gogi gang claim remains unverified. The focus of the investigation is on identifying the shooters, establishing the motive and determining whether the social media post has any genuine connection with the murder.
