Is this not Jungle Raj: Political firestorm erupts after prominent businessman's murder in Patna
The killing occurred late on Friday night near his residence in the upscale Gandhi Maidan area of Patna, prompting Opposition leaders to slam the law and order situation under the current regime.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav lashed out at the government, alleging media manipulation to mask the deteriorating security environment.
"A few steps away from the police station in Patna, a prominent Bihar businessman was shot dead! Hundreds of businessmen are being murdered in Bihar every month, but we can't call it Jungle Raj? Because this is what the scriptures call media management, perception management and image management," he posted on his X handle.
According to reports, Khemka was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants around 11:40 P.M. while stepping out of his car near Panache Hotel.
Purnia's Independent MP Pappu Yadav, voicing solidarity with the Opposition, called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder.
"All of us support the Opposition. As per the instructions of the Congress Party and our incharge, we will raise the issue of attacks on the poor and poverty before the Election Commission on the 9th of this month. Regarding this incident, we demand a CBI probe into the murder of Gopal Khemka," he told IANS.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari termed the incident as proof of 'criminal rule' in Bihar.
He told IANS, "This is a very sad incident. A well-known businessman, Mr. Gopal Khemka, was shot dead in Patna last night near his residence. Now, the criminal rule has been established. After two hours, the police comes. I ask the people who talk about Jungle Raj, dear Prime Minister, please tell me, which raj should this be called? The 'goon rule', the 'criminal rule' has been established in Bihar.
"In Bihar, the government has given protection to criminals. The morale of the criminals has increased. The criminals are happy. The police administration is sad."
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, while acknowledging the gravity of the incident, defended the state administration.
"Gopal Khemka was a prominent industrialist and his brutal murder near Gandhi Maidan in Patna is absolutely shocking. Regardless of who the victim is, any murder is a challenge to the rule of law. The DGP of Bihar himself immediately took cognisance of the matter at the highest level and an SIT has been formed under the leadership of City SP Central. The SIT is investigating all aspects of the case."
Meanwhile, Gopal Khemka's family has accused the police of gross negligence. His brother, Shankar Khemka, said: 'Officers arrived nearly three hours after the incident, at around 2:30 A.M. Gopal was returning home when the assailants opened fire, just like the way his son was attacked in 2018.'
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
2 Days After BJP Leader Gopal Khemka's Murder, A Request From His Son
Patna (Bihar): Gaurav Khemka, son of businessman Gopal Khemka who was shot dead near the main gate of his residence in Patna's Gandhi Maidan area, has requested police protection for his family, citing a previous family tragedy and fear for their lives. In his statement recorded in the FIR on Saturday, Gaurav mentioned that his brother, Gunjan Khemka, was also murdered in 2018. "After this incident, my family and I are frightened. We request that the government and police provide us with security and ensure the safety of our family. Also, the perpetrators should be arrested and punished," he wrote. Gaurav narrated the incident in his statement, saying that around 8:30 PM, his father had gone to the Bankipore Club. When he returned home at 11:20 PM, assailants who were already waiting at the gate shot him in the head. He added that after hearing the gunshot and being alerted by the building guard, he and his wife rushed to the gate. There, they found Gopal Khemka lying in a pool of blood. Gaurav said they rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police were informed around midnight. However, Gaurav alleged that there was no immediate action. In the FIR, he wrote, "Upon inaction by police, I, along with my family, were about to take my father's dead body home. Around 2 AM, the District Magistrate came and said that we can take the body home only after the post-mortem." He stated that the post-mortem was conducted around 6 AM, after which the body was brought home. An FIR has been registered in the case at Gandhi Maidan Police Station under case number 391/25, dated July 5, 2025. The case is registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 27 of the Arms Act. Bihar Police has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
"Safety is myth under BJP rule": Congress' Pawan Khera targets NDA govt over murder of businessman Gopal Khemka
Congress leader Pawan Khera came down heavily on the NDA government in Bihar over the prevailing law and order situation in the state, saying that safety has become a "myth" under their rule. His remarks came days after businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead near the main gate of his residence in Patna's Gandhi Maidan area. In a social media post on X, Khera wrote, "The BJP's governance model is Goonda Raj wrapped in a velvet glove of PR about "development". All optics, no order." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Alleging that 65,000 people have been murdered under NDA's watch, Khera took a jibe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar , stating that the Chief Minister has now become "Chief Spectator" of a daily carnage. The social media post reads, "In Bihar also, the NDA government never misses a chance to pat itself on the back for "improving" law and order - all while conveniently ignoring that, even as per official figures, nearly 65,000 people have been murdered under NDA's watch. The Chief Minister in reality is the Chief Spectator of a daily carnage." Live Events "Now, with the killing of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna's posh Gandhi Maidan area, it's clear that under BJP rule, safety is a myth. No amount of money, influence, or power can ensure your safety and that of your loved ones. The bottomline is: BJP doesn't value human life. It only chases headlines, and even those are fake," the Congress leader alleged. Earlier today, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha , Rahul Gandhi launched an all-out attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, alleging that Bihar has become "crime-capital" of India. The murder of the businessman has evoked sharp political reactions from the opposition parties and put the spotlight back on the law and order situation in the State, which is going to the polls in the next few months. In a post on social media platform X in hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "The brazen murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna has once again proven - the BJP and Nitish Kumar together have turned Bihar into "India's crime capital." Today, Bihar lives in the shadow of loot, gunfire, and murder. Crime has become the 'new normal' here - and the government is utterly ineffective" "Brothers and sisters of Bihar, this injustice can no longer be tolerated," he said. The former Congress President observed that a government that cannot ensure the safety of your children cannot be entrusted with your future either. "Every murder, every loot, every bullet - is a cry for change. Now is the time for a new Bihar - where there is no fear, only progress. This time, the vote is not just to change the government, but to save Bihar," he called on the voters ahead of the assembly elections. Bihar Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the murder case of businessman Gopal Khemka, who was allegedly shot dead in the south area of the Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Friday.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Major relief to voters, EC makes big decision on documents ahead of Assembly elections in Bihar
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