DGP Rajeev Krishna
Lucknow: DGP Rajeev Krishna on Monday said the murder of Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan in Shamli on Aug 26 was a planned contract killing linked to organised criminal activity. Addressing a news conference in Lucknow, DGP said two wanted shooters, Mohit and Sumit, each carrying a reward of ₹50,000, were killed in an encounter conducted jointly by Shamli Police, the SWAT team and local police personnel. The investigation further revealed that Baliyan had clarified that his role in a particular song was limited to performing it and that neither the lyrics nor the composition belonged to him.
DGP said the operation reflected chief minister Yogi Adityanath ’s zero-tolerance policy towards crime and organised criminal networks. Action will continue against criminals irrespective of where they operate from,” he said. He said investigators were examining the case in the context of a larger gang rivalry. Preliminary findings point towards a well-planned conspiracy,” DGP said.
He asserted that Uttar Pradesh Police would continue its crackdown on all those involved in the conspiracy. “Uttar Pradesh will not be allowed to become a haven for organised gangs. The murder is also being linked to the killing of gangster Gogi, with members of the gang allegedly considering Baliyan associated with a rival faction. However, the gang allegedly viewed the song as being linked to a rival group. “The murder was not a sudden act.