Court orders bulletproof jackets and shackles for accused in singer Baliyan murder case

A Delhi court has ordered that two accused involved in the murder case of Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan be provided with bulletproof jackets and be placed in chain cuffs (shackles) on both hands and feet while being transported to the court in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh. These instructions have been issued to the Tihar Jail authorities as the accused expressed apprehension of being subjected to a 'fake encounter' by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the accused in this case, Deepak alias Titar and Yogesh alias Tunda, are currently lodged in Tihar Jail. The accused had filed an application for their security in this case registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Lal of the Patiala House Court passed these significant directions while disposing of the application on November 3.

Shamli Police had arrested Deepak and Yogesh in connection with this murder. Now, as part of the investigation, they are to be produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Shamli. The lawyers for the accused, Ashish Tiwari and Himanshu Kundu, informed the court that their clients fear a fake encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Taking these submissions into account, the court has ordered the jail authorities and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Avenue) to ensure the complete security of the accused during their journey from Delhi to Shamli and back. The court specifically noted that care must be taken to ensure that no 'untoward incident' occurs during their appearance in the Shamli court.

In the application, not only police security was sought, but it was also demanded that videography be conducted during their appearance, they be provided with bulletproof jackets, and chain cuffs be placed on both hands and feet. Notably, the request to be shackled was made by the accused themselves. Their lawyers submitted in writing that they had consulted with the prisoners and they themselves wish to go to the Shamli court with restraining devices.

Under these circumstances, considering the request of the accused, the court ordered that they be provided with bulletproof jackets and chain cuffs on their hands and feet while being taken from Tihar Jail to the Shamli court and brought back. The court directed that copies of the order be sent immediately to the Superintendent of Jail No. 5 and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), North Avenue. Additionally, the lock-up in-charge was instructed to be provided a copy and to inform the DCP immediately.

According to investigators, members of the Jitendra Gogi gang are suspected in this murder. Police believe the Gogi gang felt that the murder of their leader, Jitendra Gogi, was mocked by Baliyan's song 'Bhari Court Mein Goli Maarenge Meri Jaan'. In 2021, Jitendra Gogi was shot dead by members of the rival Tillu Tajpuria gang during an appearance in a Delhi court.

Police further stated that during 2022-23, when Baliyan was in Delhi, members of the Gogi gang had threatened him. Baliyan had told them that he had only acted in the music video and had no role in writing the lyrics or composing the music. Nevertheless, the gang continued to suspect him.