Two months ago, reacting to Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav’s claims regarding rising crime in Bihar, the police there contested it, reminding that the state ranked 19th in the country in cognisable offences which, they argued, didn’t point to a high crime rate.
They said the rate of cognisable offences in Bihar was 277, which was significantly lower than the national rate of 467.
Incidentally, the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) latest data reveals that Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Bihar have the highest crime rates.
If a senior leader of the ruling party is shot dead in broad daylight, these numbers become insignificant.
Reports have emerged that Gopal Khemka, a prominent businessman and senior BJP leader from Bihar, was brazenly killed outside his residence in Patna late Friday night. Khemka was a businessman. His son, Gunjan Khemka, was also murdered three years ago.
The incident occurred near Hotel ‘Panache’ in the Gandhi Maidan police station area while Khemka was returning home. He lived in the adjacent ‘Twin Tower’ society.
The assailant shot Khemka and fled the scene immediately. Officials confirmed he died on the spot.
“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,” City SP Central, Diksha, was quoted as saying by a news portal.
The police have recovered one bullet and a shell casing from the crime scene.
Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav alias Rajesh Ranjan, rushed to the site of the killing last night. Taking to X, he lashed out at the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government: “Bihar has become a sanctuary for criminals! Nitish ji, please spare Bihar.”
He further asserted, “No one is safe in Bihar.” According to Mr Yadav, “when Mr 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 today.”
The motive behind the murder remains unknown. More details are awaited.
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