Gopal Khemka murder: ‘Arms supplier’ killed in police encounter in Patna, rival businessman ordered hit

The police raids followed the arrest of an accused, Gopal Sao, a businessman and former member of Bankipur Club, who had allegedly given the contract to one Umesh for Rs 3.5 lakh. Shooter Umesh was also arrested on Monday.

“Vikas alias Raja, who has several cases pending against him, had allegedly provided arms and ammunition to Umesh to kill Khemka,” said a police source.

The police control room message to higher authorities said: “While verifying the information received from District Control Room, Police Station Officer, Malsalami informed that on the night of 07/08.07.2025 at about 02:45 AM, in a police-criminal encounter near Peer Damaria Ghat, 02 Km west of the police station. On receiving the information, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Patna City 02 reached the spot at 05:00, Superintendent of Police, City at 05:05 and Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna at 05:20 and investigated the case. One pistol, bullet and shell have been recovered from the incident site.”

The body was sent to Nalanda Medical College Hospital, Patna for post-mortem.

According to police sources, the suspect, identified as Vikas alias Raja, “attempted to flee and opened fire on police officers as they tried to arrest him”.

“He was suspected to have supplied the gun for the shooting. When police team tried to arrest him, he opened fire and in self defence police also returned fire, resulting in his death. No officers were injured in the incident. A pistol, and a spent and live cartridges have been recovered from the scene,” the officer said.

Gopal Khemka, a prominent businessman and owner of Magadh Hospital, was shot dead while he was waiting in his car outside the main gate of his residence near the Panache Hotel in the Gandhi Maidan area.