Haryanvi singer shot 20 times until dead outside gym, eerily echoing his own song

Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was shot dead by assailants outside a gym in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli. Police said assailants, whose identities are being verified, fired around 20 rounds at Baliyan, killing him instantly.

In Short

• 4 assailants fired 20 rounds, killing Ankit Baliyan outside gym in UP's Shamli
• Motive unclear, cops probing possible rivalry and Panchayat poll link
• Baliyan's songs focused on gun violence, politics and regional pride

Popular Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan was shot dead by four assailants outside a 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, known for his hit song Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan (We’ll shoot you in court, my love), was leaving the gym around 7 pm when the assailants opened fire on him. He died in the attack before the shooters fled the spot. The motive behind the murder is yet to be established.

The Gogi gang claimed responsibility for the killing of Baliyan, claiming that the singer was in contact with their enemies and had composed a song about an incident involving the gang.

A post from the Instagram account of Bholu Shahpuria, who is reportedly associated with the gang, read, “This is just the beginning, everyone’s turn will come.” The gang also threatened the Uttar Pradesh Police, warning of more incidents similar to Balyan’s killing.

Police said Baliyan had finished his workout and was around 20-25 metres from the gym, near his car, when the attackers struck. They added that three to four unidentified men were involved in the shooting.

The killing took on an eerie resonance because of the violent refrain in Baliyan’s hit song Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan.

Baliyan, a native of Bantikhera village in Shamli, had been living in Rohtak and Sonipat in Haryana for the past few years while pursuing a career in singing and acting. He regularly visited the gym in Shamli and had reportedly been going there for about a year.

Police are probing all possible angles, including an old rivalry and a possible connection with the upcoming Panchayat elections.

The murder triggered protests by Baliyan’s family members and locals. They placed his body on the road and blocked the Delhi-Muzaffarnagar Road, demanding that the killers be arrested.

The protesters said they would not move until the accused were caught and that the last rites would be performed only after the arrests.

SIGNIFICANCE OF BALIYAN'S SONGS

Baliyan’s digital presence centred heavily on hyper-local Haryanvi pop music videos, swagger-driven portrayals, and podcasts. His music content prominently featured themes of regional pride, "Desi" attitude, rural grit, and high-energy law-and-order tropes – evident in hit titles revolving around gun culture, local politics, and youth bravado.

As a creator, he functioned as both lead performer and producer, often collaborating with prominent Haryanvi playback artists like Masoom Sharma, Raju Punjabi, and Aashu Twinkle. Beyond music, he expanded into political podcasts and ground-level vlogging, interviewing local politicians and community figures in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Baliyan was also known for songs such as 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, Riflein.

But it was Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan that became the haunting reference after his death – a song about gun violence that took on an unsettling resonance when Baliyan himself was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside the gym.

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