In a dramatic pre-dawn encounter that has sparked fresh debates over policing and law and order in Bihar, Patna Police gunned down Vikas Kumar alias Raja, a 29-year-old illegal arms supplier and one of the prime accused in the high-profile murder of BJP leader and businessman Gopal Khemka. The killing comes just days after Khemka’s broad daylight murder rattled Patna’s business and political circles.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to senior police officials, Vikas was tracked to a hideout in Malsalami, an old locality near Pir Damariya Ghat. Acting on a tip-off about his movements, a police team led by Patna SSP Rajeev Mishra surrounded the area around 2:30 AM. Officials say they had tried to persuade Vikas to surrender, but he allegedly opened fire while trying to escape through narrow lanes leading to the river.
A brief but intense exchange of fire ensued. By the end of it, Vikas lay dead, clutching a country-made pistol. Police recovered the weapon, live rounds, and spent cartridges from the scene. His body was later sent to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for post-mortem.
Speaking to the media, SSP Rajeev Mishra defended the operation, stating that the police had no choice but to return fire after the accused shot at them. “We had concrete inputs that he was armed and dangerous. Our team followed the standard procedure and asked him to surrender. He fired first, forcing us to retaliate in self-defense,” Mishra said.
Who Was Vikas alias Raja?
Hailing from a village on the outskirts of Patna, Vikas had a reputation in the underworld as an illegal arms dealer and small-time gang leader. He reportedly supplied weapons to local gangs, contract killers, and was allegedly well-connected with criminals operating across Bihar and neighboring Jharkhand.
Police records indicate he was wanted in multiple cases related to arms trafficking, extortion, and assault. However, it was his link to the sensational murder of Gopal Khemka that brought him into sharp focus. Investigators say that Vikas not only supplied the murder weapon but also helped plan the escape route for the shooter, Umesh Kumar, who was arrested two days ago in Nalanda district.
Background: The Murder That Shocked Patna
Gopal Khemka, 52, was a well-known industrialist and a local BJP leader who owned Magadh Hospital and several businesses in the state capital. On the evening of July 4, he was shot multiple times outside his residence in Kadamkuan area when he stepped out to visit a relative. Despite being rushed to a nearby private hospital, he succumbed to his injuries within hours.
The brazen nature of the murder — caught partly on CCTV — triggered outrage in Patna, with opposition parties slamming the Nitish Kumar-led government for failing to protect influential citizens in broad daylight. Protests erupted near Khemka’s hospital, and business leaders demanded swift justice.
Investigation So Far
Within 48 hours, police arrested Umesh Kumar, identified as the prime shooter, and another accomplice believed to have coordinated logistics. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the motive was likely a business dispute combined with political rivalry. While police are yet to reveal the names of the alleged masterminds, they suspect more people were involved in planning the murder.
The encounter with Vikas is seen as a major breakthrough by the police, who believe it will help them identify the larger network behind the conspiracy. “Vikas’s interrogation could have given us more leads, but he chose to shoot his way out. We will now rely on digital evidence and the statements of the arrested shooters,” an officer involved in the probe said.
Political Reactions
The incident has swiftly taken a political turn, with Bihar’s opposition RJD, Congress, and Left parties accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the encounter was staged to protect the real masterminds behind Khemka’s murder.
“Whenever there is a high-profile killing in Bihar, the government tries to hush it up with quick encounters. Who gave Vikas the confidence to roam freely even after the murder? What about the big fish?” Yadav questioned during a press briefing at the party office.
On the other hand, BJP leaders and the Janata Dal (United) have defended the police action. State JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said the Chief Minister is directly monitoring the case and has ordered the police to act tough on organized crime. “The message is clear: Bihar will not tolerate mafia rule,” he added.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who held a high-level meeting with top police officers late Monday night, instructed them to identify all those connected to the conspiracy and ensure no accused escapes the legal net.
The Debate Over Police Encounters
While many locals and Khemka’s supporters welcomed the police action, saying it sends a strong message to criminals, rights groups have raised questions about the increasing number of encounters in Bihar and the need for greater judicial oversight.
Human rights activist Manoj Kumar from the People’s Forum for Civil Rights said: “Every accused, no matter how serious the charge, has a right to trial. Police encounters should be the last resort and must be thoroughly investigated to ensure they were genuine self-defense situations.”
Last Updated on: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:04 pm by Ventrapati Mahitha | Published by: Ventrapati Mahitha on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:13 pm | News Categories: News
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