Ankit Baliyan murder: Two prime suspects killed in encounter

Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan, 28, was killed in an encounter on August 26 in Shamli's Kotwali area, police said. Baliyan's alleged involvement in a song mocking the Gogi gang, which had killed Baliyan's rival Tillu Tajpuriya in 2021, allegedly triggered the murder, police claimed. The Gogi gang reportedly threatened Baliyan in 2022-2023, despite him denying any involvement in the song's lyrics or composition.

Baliyan was shot while leaving a gym and two of the four alleged Gogi gang members were killed during the encounter, according to Shamli Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh. Police recovered weapons, cash, and a motorcycle from the scene. The suspects, identified as Mohit, 22, and Sumit, 24, claimed they were sent to kill Baliyan on instructions from Haryana-based gangster Rahul, alias Bholu Shahpuriya, who operates under Rohit Rana and Rakesh. Police have announced a reward for the police team involved in the operation.