Patna business tycoon Gopal Khemka’s killing linked to jailed criminals? Beur Central Jail raided; here’s what police found | Patna News
PATNA: The murder of Patna businessman Gopal Khemka, who was shot dead outside his residence late Friday night, has sent shockwaves through the state capital and triggered a sweeping police crackdown, including a high-intensity raid at Beur Central Jail on Saturday afternoon. The development comes as investigators probe possible links between Khemka’s killing and criminals lodged inside the jail.Khemka’s murder bears an eerie resemblance to a tragedy that struck his family six years ago in 2018 when his son Gunjan Khemka was shot dead in broad daylight in the Hajipur industrial area of Vaishali district. Now, with another killing targeting the same family, suspicions of a deeper conspiracy involving organised crime are mounting.
A well-known figure in Bihar’s business circles, Khemka, 65, was a self-made industrialist who expanded from the cotton and packaging industry to fuel retail and healthcare. He founded G K Cotton in the Hajipur Industrial Area in 1985 and later established a fuel station on Fraser Road and the Magadh Hospital, a multi-specialty facility in Rajendra Nagar. He was also active in real estate, developing residential properties across Patna.The murder occurred around 11.45pm near the main gate of Khemka’s apartment complex at Ramgulam Chowk under the Gandhi Maidan police station area. He was returning home from the Bankipore Club, driving himself, when a bike-borne man shot him in the head at close range. He was rushed to a private hospital by family members but succumbed during treatment.By Saturday afternoon, a coordinated raid was launched inside Beur Central Jail at 3.05pm, lasting until 4.35pm. Police personnel from 14 stations, along with senior officers including SDPOs, SP and SSP, joined the operation, which was overseen by IG (central range) Jitendra Rana and Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma.“Major incidents often involve the role of organised criminals. They may even have involvement from jail. With this in mind, after receiving some inputs, a raid was conducted at Beur Jail. Around 100 inmates were also interrogated,” said IG Rana. He added, “An SIT team has been formed after the incident. They have been instructed to uncover the case as soon as possible and ensure the arrest of the criminals.”The SIT is being led by City SP (Central) Diksha and is working on several leads. According to police sources, the attackers may have conducted prior reconnaissance and were closely following Khemka’s vehicle on a bike before striking. CCTV footage from the area is being analysed.Inside Beur Jail, police recovered three mobile phones, sim cards, a data cable, several phone numbers scribbled on a slip of paper and other objectionable items. These may offer crucial clues, investigators believe.“We have found some clues in the murder case. Some suspicious persons have been identified. CCTV cameras are being scanned to identify the shooter. It might be linked to some inmates lodged in Beur jail. However, it is too early to reveal anything. The criminals will be arrested soon,” SSP Sharma told TOI.Earlier in the day, the SSP held a strategy briefing at the Secretariat police station with personnel from all 14 stations, alongside city SPs and SDPOs. Meanwhile, CM Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level review meeting on law and order, seeking a detailed briefing from the DGP and directing strict action.A case has been registered at Gandhi Maidan police station based on a written complaint by Khemka’s younger son, Gaurav Khemka, though no specific people have been named in the FIR.The Khemka family is among the most prominent in Patna’s business community. Gopal Khemka was one of four brothers — Vijay, Kishan and Kanhaiya — who are collectively involved in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. The family also owns several assets including fuel stations and industrial units.
