Gopal Khemka Murder Twist: Arms Supplier Vikas ‘Raja’ Shot Dead in Patna Encounter
Patna(The Uttam Hindu): In a major breakthrough in the Gopal Khemka murder case, Bihar police have neutralized a key accused in an encounter. The suspect, identified as Vikas alias Raja, was killed in an exchange of fire near the Peerdamariya Ghat area, just 2 kilometers west of the Malsalami police station in Patna City. Raja, aged 29, had allegedly supplied the weapon used in the killing of businessman Gopal Khemka.
The encounter took place around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday night after police traced Raja’s location and attempted to arrest him. When confronted, he opened fire, leading to a gunfight. Following the incident, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Patna City reached the scene for investigation. A pistol, live cartridges, and empty shells were recovered from the site. Raja’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
Earlier, another accused in the case, identified as Umesh Kumar — a shooter involved in the crime — was arrested from the city. His interrogation led police closer to Raja, prompting the special investigation team (SIT) to track him down.
The murder of Gopal Khemka took place last Saturday near the Panash Hotel in Gandhi Maidan area, Patna, while he was stepping out of his car in front of his apartment. Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage indicated that the shooter was lying in wait and fired at point-blank range. Khemka was rushed to a hospital by family members but was declared dead on arrival.
Investigators suspect that the motive behind the murder could be linked to a land dispute or a long-standing personal rivalry. The case has sparked outrage in the city, pushing police to intensify their investigation.
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