Ankit Balyan murder was planned, Gogi gang network role under probe: UttarPradesh DGP

Attackers tracked Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan's movements, procured weapons in advance, and planned their escape before they shot him dead in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters here, Krishna said the investigation had so far indicated the involvement of a network linked to the Gogi gang in the August 26 killing.

"The investigation has revealed that before the murder, information about Ankit Balyan's activities was collected. It has also emerged that weapons were provided to the shooters from outside and four assailants executed the crime in a planned manner," the DGP said.

He said the shooters repeatedly changed their hideouts since the murder.

"Police teams constituted after the incident conducted raids at several locations in Uttar Pradesh and other states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh," Krishna said.

The police identified some of the accused on August 29. Two of them, Mohit and Sumit, were killed in a police encounter in Shamli early Monday, he said.

Mohit had at least 14 criminal cases against him and Sumit one, the DGP said.

Krishna said the investigation has brought to light the role of a network associated with the Gogi gang.

An Instagram account purportedly operated by Rahul alias Bholu Shahpuria had claimed responsibility for the killing on social media on August 26-27.

"The investigation into this social media post and the claim of responsibility is also underway," he said.

A gang rivalry associated with gangster Jitender Mann alias Gogi, who was killed in a shootout at Delhi's Rohini court in 2021, has been revealed as a factor in the murder.

Balyan had acted in a YouTube song which was allegedly linked to Gogi's killing, Krishna said. The singer had earlier received threats over the video and clarified that he had only acted in it and that neither the lyrics nor the tune belonged to him.

"Despite this, information has emerged during the investigation that the gang was linking him to the Gogi gang," he said.

The DGP said the investigation so far has indicated that the murder was not a spontaneous crime but a "pre-planned conspiracy", involving mobilisation of shooters and a plan for their escape after the killing.

"Our objective is not merely to reach the shooters. Those who hatched the conspiracy, provided resources and weapons, got the victim's movements monitored and provided protection to the accused -- the entire chain will be brought within the ambit of law," Krishna said.

Balyan was shot dead on August 26 after he emerged from a gym in Shamli and was walking towards his car. Police earlier said four assailants on two motorcycles opened fire on him.

Balyan received five gunshots, including two to the head.

The DGP announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for the Shamli police and the STF personnel involved in Monday's operation.

"Let me assure through the media that the Uttar Pradesh Police's action will not end here. The role of every person involved in this crime will be determined and strict legal action will be taken against them," Krishna said.

"Those sitting outside Uttar Pradesh's borders and conspiring to commit crimes should not labour under the illusion that the distance will keep them beyond the reach of law," he added.

Balyan's father Satbir Singh, his wife Seema and sister Reena praised the police work and hoped that the rest of the people behind the killing would be arrested soon.