Patna, July 5 - Prominent businessman Gopal Khemka of Bihar was shot dead by a motorcycle-borne assailant outside his residence in Patna. He said that the incident took place near the gate of Khemka's house in Gandhi Maidan area around 11.40 pm on Friday when he was about to get down from his car.
Officials said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called a meeting to review law and order in the state on Saturday during which he directed the concerned officials to complete the investigation into Khemka's murder at the earliest.
SP (Patna Central) Diksha told reporters that officers of the local police station and personnel in patrol vehicles had immediately reached the spot. “The investigation is underway, forensic experts are collecting evidence and CCTV footage is also being examined,” he said. A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said that he had warned of strict action against police personnel in case of negligence in the meeting. Meanwhile, some of Khemka’s relatives and family members alleged that the police personnel reached the spot about two hours after the incident. However, Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar denied the allegation.
The DGP said that an SIT including Special Task Force officers and Central District Police detectives has been formed to monitor the ongoing investigation into the businessman’s murder. He said that the possibility of old enmity as the reason for the murder cannot be ruled out.
Kumar said, “Khemka’s son was also killed in Hajipur in 2018. In view of which security was provided and it was withdrawn in April 2024. He never requested protection afterwards.