THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Patna, July 8: A man suspected of supplying the weapon used in the recent murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead by police in an early morning encounter near Damaria Ghat in Patna on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as 29-year-old Vikas alias Raja, was also wanted in several other criminal cases, officials confirmed.
According to the police, a team investigating Khemka’s murder had received specific intelligence on Vikas’s whereabouts and reached Damaria Ghat around 2:25 am.
When approached, he allegedly tried to flee and opened fire at the officers, prompting them to retaliate. He was killed on the spot around 2:45 am.
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No injuries were reported among the police personnel. A pistol, along with one spent and one live cartridge, was recovered from the scene. His body has been sent to Nalanda Medical College for a post-mortem examination.
Police believe Vikas, a resident of the Malsalami area, had supplied the firearm used in Khemka’s killing. The primary shooter, Umesh Rai, has already been taken into custody. Another individual suspected of hiring the contract killer is also being held for questioning.
Gopal Khemka, a well-known industrialist, was shot dead near the gate of his home in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan area on the morning of July 4. He had reportedly requested police protection for his family prior to the attack. In a tragic earlier incident, Khemka’s son was also murdered seven years ago in Hajipur.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, and police have stated that further updates will be shared soon.
