Gopal Khemka murder: An accused in the high-profile murder case of industrialist Gopal Khemka was shot dead in an encounter by Bihar Police in the early hours of Tuesday. The accused, identified as Vikas alias Raja, was allegedly a key figure in the illegal arms trade and had reportedly accompanied the shooter during the killing of Khemka.
According to a statement from the Bihar Police Headquarters, the encounter occurred around 2:45 am near Pir Damariya Ghat, about 2 km from Malsalami Police Station in Patna district. A pistol, live cartridges, and spent shells were recovered from the scene. The body has been sent for postmortem at a government hospital in Patna.
What do we know about Vikas alias Raja?
Vikas (29), son of Pradeep Mahto and a resident of Daudchak Nagla under Malsalami Police Station, had a known criminal background. Police sources say he was deeply involved in the manufacturing and distribution of illegal firearms and was believed to have aided Umesh, the main shooter, in the assassination of Gopal Khemka.
JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan commented on the incident, saying, “As per the information we have received, police have killed an accused in the Khemka murder case who tried to attack them. Nitish Kumar ji is monitoring every incident personally.”
Khemka murder case
The encounter came just a day after a joint team of the Special Task Force and Patna Police arrested two men, including the primary shooter, in connection with the murder of Gopal Khemka. Authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the murder but stated that investigations are ongoing.
Gopal Khemka, a prominent Patna-based industrialist, was shot dead outside his home in the Gandhi Maidan area around 11:40 pm last Friday. The assailants, riding a motorcycle, gunned him down near the gate of his residence. The killing shocked the city, particularly as it comes seven years after his son was murdered in a similar fashion in Hajipur.
In response to the public outrage and gravity of the case, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a high-level law and order review meeting on Saturday. He directed officials to expedite the investigation and ensure swift justice.
With the arrest of two suspects and the killing of a third in an encounter, police believe they are closing in on the full network behind the murder. More details are expected as the investigation progresses.