Gopal Khemka, a well-known businessman and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants on Friday night in Patna, Bihar, years after his son, Gunjan Khemka, was killed in a similar manner.
As per reports, unidentified assailants opened fire on Khemka when he stepped out of his car near an apartment close to his residence, Panache Hotel, in the posh Gandhi Maidan area on Friday night.
The police have recovered one bullet and a shell casing from the crime scene. The reason behind the crime is yet to be ascertained.
Speaking to ANI, Patna SP Central, Diksha, said, "On the night of 4 July, around 11 PM, we received information from the Gandhi Maidan South area that businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead. As soon as the information was received, the police reached the hospital and the crime scene. The area has been cordoned off, and an investigation is underway. CCTV footage is being examined. Further action will be taken."
Back in 2018, Khemka's thirty-eight-year-old son was also killed in broad daylight when an unidentified bike-borne assailant opened fire as he was going to step out of his car in front of his cotton factory in Vaishali, on the outskirts of Patna.
Murder Sparks Political Row Ahead Of Elections
With just a few months left for the assembly elections, the murder has sparked huge political outrage in the poll-bound state, with Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav questioning the Nitish Kumar-led BJP government's claims of good governance. Yadav alias Rajesh Ranjan also visited the spot last night.
Taking it to X, he wrote, "Bihar has become a sanctuary for criminals! Nitish ji, please spare Bihar." Yadav in his post also claimed that when Khemka's son was killed, if the government at that time had not become a partner to the criminals and had taken strict action against them, Gopal Khemka would not have been murdered.
Further lashing out at the NDA government, RJD leader Rishi Mishra told news agency PTI, "We need to understand that the (Nitish) government has lost its credibility. The honourable CM is in an unconscious state. The police should have been involved in basic intelligence. However, they are working to nab liquor smugglers so that they can earn something. The people have lost trust on the government."
Defending the allegations on law and order in the state, BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav told PTI, "Gopal Khemka was a fine businessman and great social worker. His murder near his house, Gandhi Maidan Police Station, is nearby... his family said the police arrived at the spot 1.30 hours after being informed. This is a cause of concern for the administration. Officials should take it very seriously, and the murderers should be nabbed and given strict punishment. The opposition is raising questions on law and order just for politics. Law and order is under control, however, this is an unfortunate incident which should not have happened."
