The Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission has stepped into a tense investigation, demanding answers about how two suspects in a high-profile murder case ended up dead in a police encounter. On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Commission formally requested a detailed report from Shamli's District Magistrate regarding the deaths of Mohit and Sumit—both accused of killing popular Haryanvi singer Ankit Balyan.

Key facts

  • Mohit and Sumit were killed in an encounter with Shamli police and SWAT team
  • Both carried ₹50,000 reward each for capture
  • Commission report deadline: November 13, 2026
  • Next hearing scheduled for November 16, 2026

Behind the Commission's Move

The Commission's intervention didn't come out of nowhere. It was triggered by a complaint from Amitabh Thakur, a former IPS officer and national president of the Azad Adhikar Sena. Thakur, who served in the Uttar Pradesh cadre since 1992, raised serious concerns about how the encounter unfolded.

In his complaint, Thakur pointed to allegations that police might have apprehended the two accused first—only to then stage what he called a "fake encounter." The tension around this case is palpable, with families of the deceased making their own allegations about police conduct.

A Community in Mourning

Ankit Balyan wasn't just another crime statistic. The resident of Banti Kheda village in Shamli had built a following in the Haryanvi music industry, making his August 26 murder outside his local gym particularly shocking. Four assailants on two motorcycles ended his life, leaving a community grieving and demanding justice.

Now that grief has become more complicated. While two suspects are dead, two others remain at large—and questions about police methods are growing louder. Sumit's father, Dharampal, has alleged that police subjected Sumit's brother to third-degree treatment, adding another layer of concern about how this investigation is being handled.

"The Commission has directed that the report be submitted by November 13, 2026 and has listed the matter for November 16, 2026," Mr. Thakur told The Hindu.

What Comes Next

All eyes now turn to November. The District Magistrate has until November 13 to compile and submit the detailed report the Commission demanded. Three days later, on November 16, the matter will be back before the rights panel for review.

For now, the people of Shamli wait—wondering not just about who killed their local celebrity, but about how the state responds when allegations of excessive force emerge. The truth, when it comes, will need to satisfy a community that's already seen too much violence.