In a major development in the murder case of prominent Bihar industrialist Gopal Khemka, one of the key accused, Vikas alias Raja, was gunned down in a police encounter in the early hours of Tuesday. Vikas, who was allegedly present at the scene of the crime alongside the main shooter, Umesh, opened fire on the police during a raid and was killed in retaliatory action. The encounter marks a critical breakthrough in a case that has shaken the state and drawn strong reactions from political quarters.
Encounter Ends in Death for Murder Accused
Vikas, known for his involvement in the illegal arms trade, was killed in the Malsalami area of Patna during a joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF) and a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The raid, conducted around 2.45 am, turned violent when Vikas spotted the police and began shooting. Police responded with retaliatory fire, leading to his death at the scene. Authorities recovered a pistol, one live cartridge, and a spent bullet from the site. Vikas’s body was sent to Nalanda Medical College in Patna for post-mortem examination.
According to the police, Vikas was part of the conspiracy to murder Gopal Khemka and had accompanied the shooter during the attack. His death, though not closing the case, marks a significant step in dismantling the network behind the crime.
Murder of Gopal Khemka: A Chilling Crime
The incident that led to the investigation occurred on July 4, when 65-year-old Gopal Khemka was shot dead just outside the gates of his home in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan area. The attack took place around 11.40 pm, when Khemka, who was inside his car, was approached by bike-borne assailants who fired at him from close range and fled.
Khemka was a businessman with holdings including Magadh Hospital and several petrol pumps. The murder sent shockwaves across Bihar, particularly because Khemka’s son had also been killed seven years earlier in Hajipur, reportedly over a land dispute. The recurrence of such targeted violence within the family has raised deep concerns over the state’s law and order situation.
Key Arrests and Suspected Contract Killing
Following the murder, the Patna Police and STF launched an aggressive investigation. Two key individuals were arrested: Umesh, the alleged shooter who pulled the trigger, and another individual suspected of orchestrating the contract killing. Police sources suggest that the motive for the murder is tied to a financial or business dispute, although further details are awaited.
A senior officer confirmed, “Both persons have been held in Patna by a joint team of Special Task Force and Patna Police. The investigation is in progress. We will be able to divulge more details in due course.”
The swift progress in the investigation, including the neutralization of Vikas and the arrest of Umesh, has been seen as a response to mounting public and political pressure.
Political Fallout and CM’s Response
The high-profile nature of the murder and its timing have sparked a political storm in Bihar. With Assembly elections approaching, the killing has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the state’s law and order situation. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, have blamed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government for the deteriorating security environment.
In response, Nitish Kumar convened a high-level law and order review meeting on Saturday, instructing officials to expedite the investigation and warning of strict action against negligence. The Chief Minister, who faces significant political pressure, emphasized that the “rule of law” must prevail in Bihar and that no stone should be left unturned in bringing all culprits to justice.
A Breakthrough Amid Unrest
The encounter killing of Vikas marks a turning point in the Gopal Khemka murder investigation. While questions about the motive and broader conspiracy remain, the police’s swift action has reassured a jittery public. However, the broader challenge remains: restoring public confidence in Bihar’s law enforcement and ensuring that justice is delivered without political interference. As the investigation unfolds, the government must now balance swift justice with due process to avoid further erosion of trust in the system.