Patna bizman Gopal Khemka murder: Suspect shot dead in police encounter

Gopal Khemka

A key suspect in the murder case of Patna businessman Gopal Khemka was was killed in a gunfight with the police in Patna's Damaria Ghat area in the early hours of Tuesday, PTI reported.

He was identified as Vikas, alias Raja. According to the report, the 29-year-old accused was involved in the manufacturing and selling of illegal weapons, and was wanted in several other criminal cases as well.

A pistol, a spent and a live cartridge were recovered from the spot, a police officer was quoted by PTI as saying. The development came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a team of the Special Task Force (STF) reached Damaria Ghat around 2.25 am in search of Vikas. As per the report, Vikas opened fire at the police as soon as he saw the cops. He was killed in a retaliatory firing.

The police have already arrested the gunman, identified as Umesh Rai. According to India TV, Umesh, a resident of Patna city, was the one who opened fire on the businessman, leading to his death on July 4. Two other suspects were also detained by the police on Monday and are currently being interrogated.

As per the report, CCTV footage of the incident had earlier revealed that the Patna businessman was targeted in a planned attack. In the video, Umesh can be seen waiting near the businessman’s residence with two accomplices. As soon as Khemka approached his house, the shooter opened fire and fled the scene.

A large number of businessmen and industrialists attended Khemka’s cremation. Soon after the incident, a CCTV video surfaced showing the moment when the businessman was shot dead.