In a chilling reminder of a past tragedy, prominent businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead near Gandhi Maidan in Patna late on July 4, drawing strong political reactions and raising fresh concerns over law and order in Bihar. The killing mirrors the 2018 murder of his son, BJP leader Gunjan Khemka, who was gunned down under similarly mysterious circumstances.
Confirming the incident, Patna Superintendent of Police Diksha said, “At around 11 PM on July 4, we received information that businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead in the south area of Gandhi Maidan. The crime scene has been secured. One bullet and one shell have been recovered from the spot.”
The Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), to be headed by SP City Central, to fast-track the probe. Police are currently analyzing CCTV footage and other forensic clues.
Echoes of a Family Tragedy
The murder is eerily similar to the 2018 killing of Gunjan Khemka, a BJP functionary and state convener of the party’s Small Industries Cell, who was shot dead at his factory in Hajipur. That incident had also sparked outrage, not just for the brutality but for the alleged apathy of top BJP leaders, which left the Khemka family deeply disappointed.
During Gunjan’s funeral, many top Congress leaders visited the family to pay their respects, but senior BJP leaders were noticeably absent. The family, feeling hurt, even declined to take Gunjan’s body to the BJP office for last rites, despite earlier plans.
“Gunjan worked tirelessly for the party, spending 3–4 hours every day, yet no minister even raised their voice after his killing,” said Ram Khemka, Gunjan’s uncle, at the Gulbi Ghat crematorium back then.
Political Outrage Over Gopal Khemka’s Killing
The recent murder has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties. RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari condemned the incident, saying, “It is very sad and shameful that a businessman was murdered in such a high-security zone. The police reached the spot two hours later, and this happened near the police headquarters. What else is this if not Gunda Raj?”
Tiwari accused the Bihar government of being “asleep” and blamed Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, claiming his “crime bulletin” is of no use when such heinous crimes continue to occur unchecked.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The high-profile murder in a posh and politically sensitive area like Gandhi Maidan has left Patna residents shocked. With crime levels rising, many are now questioning the effectiveness of the state’s policing and governance mechanisms.
Conclusion:
The assassination of Gopal Khemka — just yards away from the heart of Bihar’s capital — raises serious alarms about public safety and political accountability. As investigations continue, both the public and political observers will be closely watching whether the state is able to deliver justice in a case that has reopened old wounds and exposed ongoing concerns in Bihar’s law enforcement system.
