The family of Haryanvi singer-actor Ankit Baliyan, who was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district on August 26, has demanded stringent action against everyone allegedly involved in the murder, saying justice remains incomplete as several accused are still at large. The demand came during Baliyan’s Terahvin ceremony on Wednesday, where relatives gathered for traditional rituals and a havan amid heavy police security.
Ankit Baliyan shot dead outside gym on August 26
Ankit Baliyan was allegedly shot dead while leaving a gym in Shamli district on August 26. The murder sent shockwaves through the Haryanvi entertainment industry and prompted calls for a swift investigation. Since the incident, Baliyan’s family has repeatedly urged authorities to identify and arrest everyone allegedly connected to the killing, arguing that the investigation should not be limited to those accused of carrying out the shooting.
Wife Swati seeks justice, says main accused still at large
Speaking to ANI, Baliyan’s wife Swati said the family was yet to receive complete justice, noting that only two accused had been arrested so far.“We have not been given complete justice yet. Only two accused have been caught so far. I have heard that the main accused is from a very good and wealthy family. We are from a rural family and do not have a large family,” she said.Swati appealed to the government to take action against all those named in the case at the earliest. She also urged political leaders not to turn the murder into a political issue.“I want the government to take action against all the accused as soon as possible. I would also like to tell all the politicians that no one should do politics over this matter. They should understand the pain that we are going through,” she said.Swati also mentioned Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, urging them to remain sensitive to the family’s grief rather than politicising the case.She further spoke about the financial strain and emotional devastation caused by Baliyan’s death.“We want justice. Our financial situation is also not good. We have put all the family’s wealth into him. Our family is in debt, and our only son is gone. Our house has been destroyed in a way. But the saddest thing is that the accused are still roaming freely,” Swati said.
Sister-in-law Reena demands action against all accused
Baliyan’s sister-in-law Reena also called for the investigation to uncover the wider network allegedly involved in the murder.“We want all those responsible to be punished. It is important to reach the root of the tree, not just cut its branches. Otherwise, the same network could emerge again and destroy someone else,” she said.Reena claimed that around eight to ten people were allegedly involved in the case and demanded that each of them be brought to justice.“We want all the eight to ten accused in this case to be brought to justice. Before anyone else does something like this, they should think a hundred times,” she told ANI.She said the family had also conveyed its concerns directly to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the police investigation.“In this case, there should be no slackness at all. We are satisfied with the way the proceedings are moving forward. My only request is that no political issue should be raised and that we should be helped in getting justice for him,” Reena said.
Police suspect network linked to Gogi gang
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna said investigators had found indications of a network connected to the Gogi gang in the murder case.“The investigation has revealed the involvement of a network connected to the Gogi gang behind this murder. On August 26-27, responsibility for the murder was claimed on social media through an Instagram account linked to Rahul alias Bholu Shahpuri. This claim is also being investigated as part of the ongoing probe,” the DGP said on Monday.Officials have also said that two key suspects in the case were killed in a police encounter. The investigation is continuing into the social-media claim of responsibility as well as the wider network allegedly linked to the killing.
Shamli Police launch vehicle-checking operation
Following the murder, Shamli Police launched a district-wide vehicle-checking and containment operation to prevent suspects from escaping the area. Several specialised teams were reportedly deployed as part of the operation. Shamli Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh said a blockade plan was put in place between midnight and 6 am.“I had ordered the implementation of a blockade plan from midnight to 6 am to ensure that no vehicle could enter the district without being checked,” Singh said.According to the SP, around 4 am, Hijana SHO Virendra Kasana spotted a motorcycle approaching from the Karnal side while checking vehicles near his station. When police attempted to stop the motorcycle, the two riders allegedly opened fire.“When he attempted to stop it, two criminals riding the motorcycle immediately opened fire at him. He had a narrow escape, although his vehicle was hit by a bullet. He immediately sent a message over the wireless,” Singh said.The suspects allegedly fled towards Kairana, where another police team led by Kotwali SHO Dharmendra Gautam attempted to intercept them. Police said the suspects again opened fire, with a bullet shattering the windshield of the police vehicle. Following the wireless alert, SWAT personnel, surveillance officials, SHOs, the CO City, ASP and CO Kairana joined the operation. Police said the suspects were eventually cornered during the joint operation.
Investigation into Ankit Baliyan murder continues
The investigation into Baliyan’s murder remains underway. Shamli Police are examining whether an earlier dispute allegedly involving the Gogi gang played a role in the attack, while also investigating the social-media claim of responsibility and the larger network suspected of being connected to the killing. Meanwhile, Baliyan’s family continues to demand that every person allegedly involved be identified and brought to justice.
