The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday claimed a major breakthrough in the murder of Haryanvi singer and YouTuberAnkit Baliyan as two alleged sharpshooters succumbed to injuries sustained in an exchange of fire with the police in Shamli.
Investigators said they had uncovered indications of a “well-planned criminal conspiracy” allegedly involving members or associates of the Gogi gang.
Police were examining a chain involving reconnaissance of the target, use of technical resources, procurement of weapons, mobilisation of shooters, logistical support and arrangements to help the assailants escape. Their criminal records were being verified. The two suspects, identified as Mohit, 22, and Sumit, 24, both residents of Sonipat in Haryana, were carrying a reward of ₹ 50,000 each. Police said Mohit, a resident of Baiyapur Khurd in Sonipat, had around 14 criminal cases registered against him in Haryana, while Sumit, from Kundli, had one case. The DGP announced a ₹ 2 lakh reward for the police team involved in the operation and said the action against those behind the murder would continue.
Addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters in Lucknow, director general of police Rajeev Krishna said investigation had established that Balyan’s killing was not a spontaneous crime. The DGP said the investigation had indicated the possible involvement of the Jitendra Mann alias Gogi gang, while police were also examining the role of other gang members, associates and suspected handlers. The two suspects were intercepted by a joint team comprising personnel from Shamli Kotwali police station, Jhinjhana police, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and other units, according to police. Police said the suspects opened fire, following which the personnel retaliated in self-defence.
They were injured during a joint police operation near an Indian Gas godown on Kairana Road in Shamli on Monday morning and were taken to the District Joint Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Despite the clarification, police suspect the issue may have contributed to the decision to target him.
Balyan, however, had not informed his family or Shamli Police about the earlier threats, according to investigators.
