Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The killing of Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli was the result of a planned conspiracy in which the attackers tracked his movements, arranged weapons in advance and prepared their escape, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna said on Monday.
He said the investigation so far had pointed to the involvement of a network linked to the Gogi gang in the August 26 murder.
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Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters in Lucknow, Krishna said police had identified some of the accused on August 29 and that two of them, Mohit and Sumit, were killed in a police encounter in Shamli early on Monday. According to him, Mohit had at least 14 criminal cases against him, while Sumit had one.
Krishna said, “The investigation has revealed that before the murder, information about Ankit Balyan’s activities was collected. It has also emerged that weapons were provided to the shooters from outside and four assailants executed the crime in a planned manner.” He added that the shooters had repeatedly changed their hideouts after the killing.
He said police teams formed after the incident carried out raids at several places in Uttar Pradesh and in other states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Krishna also said the investigation had brought to light the role of a network associated with the Gogi gang.
An Instagram account purportedly operated by Rahul alias Bholu Shahpuria had claimed responsibility for the killing on social media on August 26 and 27. Krishna said, “The investigation into this social media post and the claim of responsibility is also underway.”
He said a gang rivalry linked to gangster Jitender Mann alias Gogi, who was killed in a shootout at Delhi’s Rohini court in 2021, had emerged as a factor in the murder.
The DGP said Balyan had acted in a YouTube song that was allegedly linked to Gogi’s killing. He said the singer had earlier received threats over the video and had clarified that he had only acted in it and that neither the lyrics nor the tune belonged to him. “Despite this, information has emerged during the investigation that the gang was linking him to the Gogi gang,” Krishna said.
Calling the case a “pre-planned conspiracy”, Krishna said the investigation had shown that shooters were mobilised and an escape plan was put in place after the attack.
“Our objective is not merely to reach the shooters. Those who hatched the conspiracy, provided resources and weapons, got the victim’s movements monitored and provided protection to the accused — the entire chain will be brought within the ambit of law,” he said.
Balyan was shot dead on August 26 after coming out of a gym in Shamli and walking towards his car. Police had earlier said four assailants on two motorcycles opened fire on him. He suffered five gunshot wounds, including two to the head. Krishna announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for the Shamli police and STF personnel involved in Monday’s operation.
“Let me assure through the media that the Uttar Pradesh Police’s action will not end here. The role of every person involved in this crime will be determined and strict legal action will be taken against them,” Krishna said.
He added, “Those sitting outside Uttar Pradesh’s borders and conspiring to commit crimes should not labour under the illusion that the distance will keep them beyond the reach of law.”
Balyan’s father Satbir Singh, his wife Seema and sister Reena praised the police action and said they hoped the remaining people behind the killing would be arrested soon.
The police said the murder was carefully planned and that the investigation was now focused not only on the shooters but also on the wider network that tracked Balyan, supplied weapons and helped those involved.
Two accused have already been killed in an encounter, while the probe into the larger conspiracy is continuing.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
