News Desk – The main accused in the Gopal Khemka murder case was shot dead in a police encounter on Tuesday morning in the Malsalami area of Patna City, according to officials.
The accused, identified as Vikas alias Raja, was being questioned by the police for his suspected role in the murder. When a police team reached his house for interrogation, Raja opened fire on them. In response, police returned fire, and he was killed during the encounter.
According to Patna Senior SP Kartikey Sharma, Raja had a history of supplying illegal weapons and was suspected of providing the weapon used to kill businessman Gopal Khemka.
He was said to be connected with Umesh alias Vijay Yadav, who was already in police custody.
Who Is Umesh?
Umesh is believed to be the shooter, and also a former associate of gangster Ajay Verma, currently lodged in Beur Jail.
He was arrested on Monday from the same area.
During interrogation, Umesh revealed that the murder was a contract killing worth ₹10 lakh, of which ₹1 lakh had already been paid.
Police recovered the bike used in the crime, a pistol, 80 bullets, two phones, and ₹1 lakh cash from him.
More Arrests and Investigations
Following Umesh’s statement, police raided several locations, including Udaygiri Apartment and near Patna Junction, and detained four more people.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has so far picked up 12 suspects for questioning.
A weapon was also recovered from a riverbank during the search.
Meanwhile, the Khemka family has requested police protection. This is not the first tragedy for them — Gopal Khemka’s son, Gunjan Khemka, was also murdered six years ago in a similar way.
