Gopal Khemka murder: Rahul Gandhi slams Nitish Kumar, BJP over Patna businessman’s murder, calls Bihar ‘India’s crime capital’

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led NDA government and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar over the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka, calling it proof that the state has turned into "India’s crime capital".

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “The brazen murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna has once again proven – the BJP and Nitish Kumar have together 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.”


Appealing to voters, he added, “Brothers and sisters of Bihar, this injustice can no longer be tolerated. A government that cannot ensure the safety of your children cannot be trusted with your future. Every murder, every robbery, every bullet – is a cry for change. Now is the time for a new Bihar – where there is progress, not fear. This time, your vote is not just to change the government, but to save Bihar.”


Businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead on July 4 around 11 pm near Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Superintendent of Police (SP) Patna, Diksha, confirmed the incident, stating, “On the night of July 4, at around 11 pm, we received information that businessman Gopal Khemka has been shot dead in the south area of the Gandhi Maidan. The crime scene has been secured, and further investigation is underway. One bullet and one shell have been recovered.”
Director general of police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case, and will be headed by the SP, City Central.

The incident bears resemblance to the 2018 killing of Gopal’s son, Gunjan Khemka, a BJP leader and then state convener of the party’s small industries cell. Gunjan was shot dead at his cotton bandage factory in Hajipur. Following his murder, there was a reported lack of presence by top BJP leadership at the funeral, which left the family disappointed.

Ram Khemka, uncle of the deceased, told TOI at the Gulbi Ghat crematorium, “Gunjan used to spend 3–4 hours every day working for the BJP. Yet no senior leader or minister even raised their voice against his killing.”

Only a few BJP MLAs, including Nitin Navin, Arun Kumar Sinha, and Sanjeev Chaurasia, were present at the funeral. Though state BJP president Nityanand Rai visited later, the family had by then decided not to take Gunjan’s body to the party office for last rites.

Reacting to the killing, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said, “It is very sad. The government will have to answer as a businessman was killed in the posh area of Gandhi Maidan. The police reached after two hours. It happened near the police headquarters. Tejashwi Yadav has been showing the crime bulletin, but this government is sleeping. Bihar wants to get rid of this government now. It is a Gunda Raj, what else?”