Patna (Bihar) [India], July 8 : Bihar ADG Kundan Krishnan on Tuesday informed that the shooter who was involved in the businessman Gopal Khemka's murder case has been arrested and the police have evidence against him.
The police official stated that they had proof against Ashok Sahu, who gave the contract to kill the victim and informed that there could be many reasons behind the incident.
"The facts that have come in the investigation are that the shooter has been arrested, and we have the evidence against him. We also have proof against Ashok Sahu, who gave the contract to kill the victim.... There can be many reasons behind this; many call records have to be checked", ADG Krishnan told reporters.
Additionally, DGP Vinay Kumar informed that based on clues from the crime scene and CCTV, a description was made, leading to the arrest of the accused.
DGP Kumar said, "The STF and Patna police formed an SIT. Based on the clues found at the crime scene and CCTV surveillance, the information about the motorcycle, and the description of the shooter, all city CCTV cameras were searched. Till the motorcycle was traced, the SIT team went there. After identifying the motorcycle, the owner was identified and was arrested...."
Meanwhile, according to Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief Diksha, the Patna police acted swiftly during the investigation, and the moment they received the information regarding the crime, the police began to do the groundwork.
She informed that, as per the evidence, the involvement of one person has been found in the incident, and further investigation will be done if any input is found related to the case.
"The Patna police acted very fast on the investigation. The moment we got the information. The whole team was on the ground to do the work. All the technical and human resources were used in the groundwork. Based on all the evidence, the major involvement was of one person. Only the rest of the information was given to him from here and there... If we find something else related to this, then an investigation will be done", SIT chief Diksha said.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary on Tuesday said that the Gopal Khemka murder case was "unfortunate" and claimed that it happened due to the "negligence" of the administration.
She alleged that the administration was unable to perform its job thoroughly, which led to the incident. Choudhary mentioned that the investigation of the matter is moving in a "positive" direction and asserted that the government needs to work with a "greater" resolve. The LJP-RV MP called such an incident a "shame" for the state.
"What happened to Gopal Khemka is very unfortunate, and somewhere it was due to the negligence of the administration. The administration could not do its job thoroughly, which is why such an incident occurred in the heart of Patna, Gandhi Maidan. This incident has served as a wake-up call for the government, and somewhere, the administration is working with strength... The investigation is moving in a positive direction. The government needs to work with greater resolve because when such a security lapse happens in your state, it is a matter of shame for everyone", Shambhavi Choudhary told ANI.
Earlier today, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that action has been taken in the Gopal Khemka murder case and assured strict punishment for all involved in the crime.
While speaking to mediapersons, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "Action has been taken. No one will escape the Gopal Khemka incident. Umesh Yadav killed him. A complete inquiry is being made. All the revelations have been made. All those who have supported this will have to rot in jail."
"The police are completely independent. If someone is responding to the police, then the police are completely free to reply," he later added.
Earlier in the day, one of the accused in the businessman Gopal Khemka murder case was killed in a police encounter on Tuesday morning near Damaiya ghat in Patna, Bihar, police said.
The accused, identified as Vikas alias Raj, was said to be the arms supplier to the main accused, Patna SSP confirmed to ANI.
According to the police, Vikas was killed at about 2:45 am in a police encounter near Damaiya ghat in the limits of Malslami police station. The police have also recovered one pistol and a cartridge from the site. The body was sent to Nalanda Medical College for post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, the key accused has also been arrested by the Police.
Businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead near the main gate of his residence in Patna's Gandhi Maidan area on July 4. He had requested police protection for his family.