How Did Bihar Police Crack the Gopal Khemka Murder Case?

Patna, July 8 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Bihar Police have successfully solved the shocking murder case of Gopal Khemka by apprehending two primary suspects, including the alleged mastermind Ashok Saw and shooter Umesh Yadav, as confirmed by an official on Tuesday.

Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma stated that the motive behind the murder stemmed from personal animosity over property disputes and issues related to the Bakipur Club. The crime occurred at approximately 11:37 PM on July 4, close to Gandhi Maidan.

Ashok Saw, identified as the planner of this crime, had ongoing personal conflicts with Gopal Khemka and contracted Umesh Yadav with a fee of Rs 4 lakh to carry out the assassination, initially paying Rs 50,000 upfront.

The remaining Rs 3.5 lakh was handed over to Umesh the following morning (July 5) at JP Ganga Path near Malsalami, shortly after the murder.

Ashok Saw also supplied a mobile phone, a 9 mm pistol, two magazines, 18 live cartridges, a photograph of Gopal Khemka, and his car’s registration details to Umesh.

According to Gopal Khemka’s routine, he typically returned home around 11:30 PM after dropping a friend at Bakarganj Mor.

On the night of July 4, Umesh Yadav noticed Khemka’s vehicle at 11:30 PM near the Bakipur Club, followed him to his residence, and shot him at close range while Khemka waited for the gate to open. He was driving himself from the Bakipur Club to his apartment.

Umesh then escaped on a motorcycle via Jamal Road and Patna Bypass, returning to his home in Malsalami, where he concealed the clothes, helmet, and weapon used in the crime.

CCTV footage from the apartment enabled the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to trace Umesh Yadav’s motorcycle, leading police to Malsalami, where local residents confirmed his identity.

Umesh was detained, and the weapon used in the murder was recovered from the upper floor of his home. In addition to the 9 mm pistol, the SIT recovered two magazines, 56 live cartridges of 7.62 bore, and 14 live cartridges of the 9 mm pistol.

During questioning, Umesh admitted to the crime and identified Ashok Saw as the mastermind.

Consequently, the SIT conducted a raid on Ashok Saw's apartment located in Udaygiri under the Kotwali police station. The authorities recovered a .38 bore pistol, 17 live cartridges, various property registry documents, and a mobile phone used for communication with Umesh Yadav.

Umesh Yadav and Ashok Saw met approximately a year and a half ago at a wedding in Nalanda.

Since then, Umesh had completed several assignments for Saw.

The plot to murder Khemka was hatched around a month and a half prior.

Initially, Umesh sought the assistance of Vikas Kumar alias Raja for the murder, but Raja requested Rs 4 lakh in cash. As a result, Umesh opted to execute the murder himself.

The Patna Police have registered an FIR under BNS Sections 103, 27, and the Arms Act at the Gandhi Maidan Police Station.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) assisted by the Bihar STF was formed to expedite the resolution of this high-profile case.

“The accused meticulously planned and executed the murder, but a dedicated technical analysis and field intelligence led to their arrest within days,” remarked SSP Kartikeya Sharma.

The apprehension of the shooter and the mastermind has provided a sense of relief in Patna, which was rattled by the high-profile killing of businessman Gopal Khemka, and police have indicated that further revelations are expected as the investigation continues.