By Aanchal Sinha News18
In a significant development, the Patna Police have arrested the shooter involved in the Gopal Khemka case, according to top police sources. The shooter has been identified as Umesh, a resident of the Patna City area.
While official confirmation is still pending, sources indicate that the police may make an official announcement regarding the arrest soon.
So far, a total of seven people have been picked up by the STF (Special Task Force), and interrogation in the case is ongoing.
According to sources, three accused allegedly gathered near a tea stall in Patna鈥檚 Daldali area before carrying out the crime in the Gopal Khemka case.
After having tea, one of the accused went to Khemka鈥檚 residence. Khemka, who was reportedly associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, was shot dead by an unidentified armed assailant outside his house in Gandhi Maidan locality at 11.40 pm on July 4 as he was about to alight from his car.
Khemka鈥檚 last rites were performed at Gulbi Ghat in Patna on July 6, where his body was cremated amidst a large gathering of businessmen and industrialists who paid their respects.
A CCTV video of the incident showing the moment when Gopal Khemka was shot dead has also surfaced.
On Sunday, Chief Secretary (CS) Amrit Lal Meena, whom a delegation of Bihar Industries Association (BIA) had met a day earlier, said security will be given to the business community as per norms.
鈥淎 delegation met me. I have assured them of appropriate security as per norms. Some of them have also asked for arms licences, which in any case is given to businessmen,鈥 Meena told news agency PTI.
Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) Vice-President Ashish Shankar alleged that though Khemka was shot dead near Gandhi Maidan police station, it took several hours for the police to reach the spot.
鈥淚t鈥檚 shocking. It reminds us of the days of Jungle Raj. The BCCI and BIA will soon sit together and chalk out a detailed plan concerning security aspects of businessmen and industrialists, which will be discussed with the authorities concerned in the government,鈥 Shankar told PTI on Sunday.