Who was Ankit Balyan? Haryanvi singer and YouTuber shot dead outside gym

Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday evening. The 32-year-old was attacked as he was making his way towards his SUV after finishing his workout. Police said multiple rounds were fired, with preliminary information putting the number at around 18 to 20. 

Balyan was declared dead after being taken to a nearby hospital. The attackers, who police said arrived on two motorcycles, fled the scene following the shooting. No arrests had been reported by late Wednesday night, while several police teams were deployed to trace those responsible.

The killing has also triggered questions about whether Balyan's public profile, alleged rivalries or his possible political ambitions could have played a role. Police are examining different angles, including a possible connection with the upcoming panchayat elections.

How did Ankit Balyan die?

The shooting took place at around 7 pm in the City Kotwali area of Shamli, near Aryapuri Nala Patri. According to police, Balyan had just left the gym and was approximately 20-25 metres away when the attackers opened fire.

Officials said three to four men were involved. They allegedly approached on two motorcycles and fired repeatedly at Balyan as he headed towards his Scorpio SUV.

According to preliminary accounts, Balyan moved towards the co-driver's side of the vehicle in an attempt to protect himself, as a wall reportedly restricted access from the driver's side. The attackers allegedly opened the vehicle door and continued firing at close range.

Police said several bullets struck Balyan, including injuries to his head and abdomen. Some rounds also hit the windscreen of his SUV. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Senior police officials, including Additional Director General of Police, Meerut Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, reached Shamli as the investigation got underway. CCTV recordings from the area are being examined to establish the sequence of events and identify the attackers.

Who was Ankit Balyan?

Balyan was a singer, performer and digital creator from Bantikhera village in Shamli. Although he had roots in Uttar Pradesh, he had spent the past few years living in Haryana, including Rohtak and Sonipat, while building a career in music and entertainment.

He had more than 3.66 lakh subscribers on YouTube, where he regularly appeared in music videos and other content with fellow artists and collaborators. His online presence extended beyond music to vlogging, podcasts and conversations with local political and community figures.

His content was strongly rooted in Haryanvi popular culture, with recurring themes of regional identity, rural life, youth culture and bravado. Many of his videos also featured SUVs and firearms, elements that were part of the visual language of several of his songs.

Balyan had worked with Haryanvi artists including Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi and Aashu Twinkle, expanding his reach within the regional music scene.

Why was Ankit Balyan's song linked to his killing?

One of the most unsettling aspects of Balyan's death was the renewed attention on his song ‘Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan’. The track, whose title refers to shooting someone in court, became an eerie point of reference following his death in a shooting.

The song was among several tracks through which Balyan developed an image centred on Haryanvi swagger and hard-edged themes. His other 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’.

His music frequently drew on subjects such as local identity, guns, political influence and rural youth culture, helping establish his distinctive presence in the Haryanvi digital music space.

Did Balyan have political ambitions?

Questions over Balyan's possible entry into politics have emerged following the murder. There was speculation that he was considering contesting the upcoming panchayat elections.

However, neither the police nor people associated with Balyan had officially confirmed that he was preparing to contest the polls or that his alleged political plans were connected to the killing.

Police are investigating several possibilities, including an old rivalry and a potential political motive, but the circumstances behind the murder had not been established by late Wednesday night.

Balyan had also attracted attention in 2023 during a roadshow in Shamli. An FIR was subsequently registered against him and several supporters over alleged violations.

Gogi gang claims responsibility

The murder took another turn after the Gogi gang reportedly claimed responsibility for Balyan's killing. A social media post attributed to Bholu Shahpuria, who is reportedly associated with the gang, alleged that Balyan had been in contact with the group's rivals and had created a song linked to an incident involving the gang.

The post also carried a threat saying, “This is just the beginning, everyone’s turn will come.”

The gang reportedly issued a warning to the Uttar Pradesh Police as well. The claims have emerged as part of the wider investigation, while the exact motive and authenticity of the alleged gang involvement remain matters for investigators to establish.

Protests erupt after the murder

Balyan's death led to protests by his relatives and local residents. His family and supporters placed his body on the road and blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.

Protesters said they would not clear the road until arrests were made and indicated that the last rites would be delayed until the accused were caught.

The incident also drew a strong political reaction from Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. Condemning the killing, Yadav alleged that the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh had deteriorated and demanded that investigators examine whether political rivalry was involved.

"The way popular singer Ankit Balyan was brutally murdered in Shamli by firing 18 rounds, reducing Uttar Pradesh's law and order to zero, has created fear throughout the region," Yadav said in a post on X.

Yadav also described reports of Balyan's mother mourning with her son's body in her lap as "heart-wrenching". He said members of the Jat community were demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers and described the killing as an attack on the community.

"The entire Jat community of Uttar Pradesh is angry and considers this an attack on itself," he said.