Haryanvi Singer-YouTube Ankit Balyan shot dead outside gym, 20 rounds fired
Police said he had completed his workout and was about 20-25 metres from the gym, near his car, when three to four unidentified attackers fired at him.
PTC News Desk: Popular Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead outside his gym in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli on Wednesday. The attackers fired around 20 rounds at the singer, who suffered multiple bullet injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head.
The 35-year-old singer Baliyan, known for his popular song Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan (“We’ll shoot you in court, my love”), was shot dead while leaving a gym around 7 pm. The attackers opened fire and fled the scene. The reason behind the murder has not yet been confirmed.
The killing gained added attention because of the violent theme of Baliyan’s hit song. Police said he had completed his workout and was about 20-25 metres from the gym, near his car, when three to four unidentified attackers fired at him.
Baliyan was originally from Bantikhera village in Shamli. For the past few years, he had been living in Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana while working in singing and acting. He had been regularly visiting the gym in Shamli for nearly a year.
Police are investigating several possible reasons for the murder, including an old rivalry and a possible link to the upcoming Panchayat elections.
The murder led to protests by Baliyan’s family and local residents. They placed his body on the road and blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road, demanding the immediate arrest of the killers. Protesters said they would not clear the road until the accused were arrested and that Baliyan’s last rites would be held only after the arrests.
Significance of Baliyan’s Songs
Baliyan mainly created Haryanvi music videos, podcasts and local content focused on regional pride, rural life, a strong “Desi” attitude and youth culture. Many of his songs featured themes related to guns, local politics, power and bravery.
He worked as both a singer and producer and collaborated with popular Haryanvi artists such as Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi and Aashu Twinkle. He also made political podcasts and local videos, interviewing politicians and community figures from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Some of his other well-known songs include 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, Jaat Jatni, Agla Janam Jaat, Savidhan, Modi Barga Rutba, Jaat Dharmender Ki Tariya, Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Wait, System and Riflein.
However, Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan became the most talked-about song after his death. The song’s reference to gun violence took on a disturbing meaning after Baliyan was himself shot dead outside a gym.