BJP Leader Gopal Khemka Shot Dead in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan Area
Patna, July 5, 2025 – In a grim echo of his son’s tragic killing in 2018, prominent businessman and BJP leader Gopal Khemka was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants late Friday night near his residence in the upscale Gandhi Maidan area of Patna. The cold-blooded murder has sent shockwaves across Bihar’s political spectrum, raising urgent questions about the law and order situation just months before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
Chilling Execution Near Twin Tower Complex
According to police officials, the incident occurred around 11:40 PM on July 4 when Khemka, a key figure in Patna’s business and political circles, stepped out of his car near Twin Tower society, adjacent to Panache Hotel. Khemka, who owned Magadh Hospital and served as a director of the elite Bankipore Club, was fatally shot on the spot.
City SP Central Diksha Kumari confirmed the incident and stated, “We received information at around 11 PM that businessman Gopal Khemka had been shot dead near Gandhi Maidan. The crime scene has been sealed. One bullet and one shell were recovered. Investigation is underway.”
Family Alleges Police Inaction
In a damning allegation, Khemka’s brother Shankar Khemka accused the police of severe negligence. “My brother was attacked at 11:40 PM. He was left to die while the police reached the spot only at 2:30 AM,” he claimed. “Despite the murder of his son six years ago, no proper security was ever provided to him.”
The family’s frustration was echoed by many locals who expressed dismay over what they see as a pattern of unchecked criminal impunity in the state capital.
Political Storm: Pappu Yadav Slams Nitish Kumar
Reacting sharply to the incident, Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav (Rajesh Ranjan), visited the crime scene and lashed out at the Nitish Kumar-led state government. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yadav wrote:
“Bihar has become a sanctuary for criminals! Nitish ji, please spare Bihar.”
Referring to the 2018 murder of Gopal Khemka’s son Gunjan, Yadav added, “Had the state government acted decisively back then and not sided with criminals, Khemka would have been alive today.”
Yadav’s remarks have stirred fresh political tension, with opposition leaders preparing to use the incident as a central issue in the run-up to the elections.
A Pattern of Targeted Violence?
The killing of Gopal Khemka appears eerily similar to the 2018 murder of his son Gunjan Khemka, who was also shot dead in a targeted attack in Patna. That case remains unsolved, and family members have long expressed suspicion of deep political and business rivalries.
While police have yet to reveal a motive behind Friday’s killing, CCTV footage is being reviewed, and officials claim that multiple teams are working to track down the suspects.
Crime in Bihar: A Pre-Election Flashpoint
The murder has once again brought Bihar’s deteriorating law and order into the spotlight. Over the past year, incidents of gang violence, extortion, and high-profile killings have surged, fueling voter anxiety.
Political analysts say that the Khemka murder could emerge as a decisive flashpoint in the upcoming elections, especially for the urban middle class and business communities, who have long felt neglected by the state’s policing strategies.
Government Yet to Respond
As of Saturday morning, neither Chief Minister Nitish Kumar nor any senior BJP leaders had issued an official statement. The state police have also not released any CCTV visuals or suspect sketches, fueling criticism of delayed action.
Security around the Gandhi Maidan area has since been increased, and additional surveillance units have been deployed.