Gopal Khemka murder mastermind nabbed in Patna: Iron trader Ashok Sao gave Rs 10 lakh 'supari' to Umesh Yadav, say police; business rivalry, jail link under probe
PATNA: In a major breakthrough in the murder case of industrialist Gopal Khemka, police on Tuesday arrested the alleged mastermind behind the crime.
Ashok Sao — an iron trader from Patna — is believed to have orchestrated Khemka’s killing over a business rivalry .
According to senior police officials, Sao reportedly paid Rs 10 lakh 'supari' to execute the killing.
He was arrested from his apartment under the Gandhi Maidan police station area during a late-night raid.
Property dispute angle
Investigators suspect a property dispute may have been the trigger for the murder. Police are also probing the possible involvement of Ajay Verma, a businessman currently lodged in Beur Jail.
“Preliminary findings point to a deep-rooted rivalry, possibly linked to real estate interests,” a senior officer said.
Khemka, a well-known industrialist, was shot dead outside his home in the Gandhi Maidan area on July 4, a murder that shocked the city's business community. Notably, Khemka’s son was also shot dead in a separate incident in Hajipur seven years ago.
Encounter at Damaria Ghat
Hours before Sao’s arrest, police shot gunned down notorious criminal — Vikas alias Raja (30) — in an early morning encounter near Damaria Ghat in the Patna City area.
Raja, a resident of Malsalami, had a history of serious criminal offences including multiple murders, armed robbery, and Arms Act violations.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma said Raja was suspected to have supplied the weapon used in Khemka’s killing. Based on a tip-off, a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and Patna Police arrived at Damaria Ghat around 2.25am.
“As the team approached, Raja attempted to flee and opened fire. Police retaliated in self-defence. He was hit by three bullets and later declared dead at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital,” said SSP Sharma.
Just a day earlier, police had arrested Umesh Yadav — the alleged shooter — along with another suspect, during a joint STF-Patna Police operation in the Malsalami area.
Malsalami SHO Rajkumar Singh confirmed Raja’s extensive criminal record and said the encounter occurred when he fired at officers approaching him for interrogation.
Ashok Sao — an iron trader from Patna — is believed to have orchestrated Khemka’s killing over a business rivalry .
According to senior police officials, Sao reportedly paid Rs 10 lakh 'supari' to execute the killing.
He was arrested from his apartment under the Gandhi Maidan police station area during a late-night raid.
Property dispute angle
Investigators suspect a property dispute may have been the trigger for the murder. Police are also probing the possible involvement of Ajay Verma, a businessman currently lodged in Beur Jail.
“Preliminary findings point to a deep-rooted rivalry, possibly linked to real estate interests,” a senior officer said.
Khemka, a well-known industrialist, was shot dead outside his home in the Gandhi Maidan area on July 4, a murder that shocked the city's business community. Notably, Khemka’s son was also shot dead in a separate incident in Hajipur seven years ago.
Encounter at Damaria Ghat
Hours before Sao’s arrest, police shot gunned down notorious criminal — Vikas alias Raja (30) — in an early morning encounter near Damaria Ghat in the Patna City area.
Raja, a resident of Malsalami, had a history of serious criminal offences including multiple murders, armed robbery, and Arms Act violations.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma said Raja was suspected to have supplied the weapon used in Khemka’s killing. Based on a tip-off, a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and Patna Police arrived at Damaria Ghat around 2.25am.
“As the team approached, Raja attempted to flee and opened fire. Police retaliated in self-defence. He was hit by three bullets and later declared dead at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital,” said SSP Sharma.
Just a day earlier, police had arrested Umesh Yadav — the alleged shooter — along with another suspect, during a joint STF-Patna Police operation in the Malsalami area.
Malsalami SHO Rajkumar Singh confirmed Raja’s extensive criminal record and said the encounter occurred when he fired at officers approaching him for interrogation.
Next Story