Who was Ankit Baliyan, Haryanvi singer gunned down after 12 rounds outside gym?

Popular Haryanvi singer, actor and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan, who had built a sizeable following through his music and online content, was shot dead outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli on Wednesday evening, August 26. In his early 30s, Baliyan had built a following as a singer, actor and YouTuber, with more than 3.6 lakh subscribers on YouTube. His music videos, podcasts and songs had made him a familiar name in the Haryanvi entertainment space.

According to police, Baliyan had finished his workout and was around 20-25 metres from the gym, near his car, when three to four unidentified men opened fire at him at around 7 pm. India Today earlier reported saying around 12 rounds were fired. Baliyan suffered multiple gunshot injuries and was taken to a nearby health centre, where doctors could not save him.

His death has also drawn attention to the chartbuster Bhari Court Mein Goli, which has crossed 54 million views on YouTube. The song’s violent refrain has taken on a grim context following his killing. There is, however, no indication so far that the song was connected to the attack.

So, who was Ankit Baliyan?

Baliyan was a native of Bantikhera village in Shamli. In recent years, he had been living and working in Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana while pursuing his career in music and acting.

He had more than 3.6 lakh YouTube subscribers and had established himself through Haryanvi music videos, online content and podcasts. His music was rooted in contemporary Haryanvi pop and often featured themes of rural identity, power, guns and bravado.

Apart from Bhari Court Mein Goli, his songs included 112 NE, Goli Ke Barood, Jaat Jatni, Agla Janam Jaat, Savidhan, Modi Barga Rutba, Ek Khtola Jail Ke Bhitar, Wait, System and Riflein.

Baliyan had also worked with several names from the Haryanvi music scene, including Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi and Aashu Twinkle.

He also had more than 4.62 lakh followers on Instagram, where he had shared over 140 posts. His final post, uploaded less than 24 hours before his death, now carries an eerie coincidence. In the Reel, Baliyan sang a verse that loosely referred to committing murder on the street and warned those who crossed his path, before dedicating the lines to his “dear brothers” and urging them to share the video.

Hours later, Baliyan himself was shot dead in public, adding a grim irony to his final social media post.

Watch the Reel here:

Ankit Baliyan shot outside Shamli gym

Police said Baliyan had completed his workout and was walking towards his car when the attackers opened fire. He was about 20-25 metres from the gym when three to four unidentified men targeted him and fled the spot.

Baliyan sustained multiple bullet injuries and was rushed to a nearby health centre. Doctors there could not save him.

His family and supporters later protested in Shamli, demanding that the attackers be identified and arrested.

Police have formed multiple teams to investigate the killing and are examining CCTV footage from the area. Investigators are also trying to establish the motive and trace the men involved in the shooting.

A social media post claiming responsibility for the killing in the name of the Gogi gang has surfaced. Police are verifying whether the post is genuine. So far, they have not established any link between the gang and Baliyan’s killing.

Was politics linked to the killing?

Baliyan was also said to be preparing to contest the upcoming district panchayat elections. Police have not established whether his reported political plans had any connection with the shooting.

He had been visiting the Shamli gym regularly for about a year, according to information available during the investigation.

For now, the focus remains on identifying the three to four attackers and establishing why Baliyan was targeted. His death has left behind a growing body of Haryanvi music and an online following that knew him as a singer, actor and digital creator.