Patna: The Bihar Police has suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Gandhi Maidan police station in connection with the murder of businessman and BJP leader Gopal Khemka, citing negligence in duty.
Inspector General (IG) Jitendra Rana confirmed on Wednesday that SHO Rajesh Kumar has been suspended for failing to act appropriately in the Khemka case. Khemka was shot dead outside his residence in Patna earlier this month. Reports indicate he had previously sought police protection for his family.
The incident has sparked political outrage, with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launching a sharp criticism of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. Taking to social media, Yadav wrote, “And now, a BJP leader shot dead in Patna! What to say, and to whom? Is there anyone in the NDA government willing to listen to the truth or admit their mistakes?”
He added, “Everyone knows about the CM’s health, but what are the two useless BJP deputy chief ministers doing? No statement from the corrupt Bhunja-DK party?”
In a separate incident days after Khemka’s killing, another man, Vikram Jha, was shot dead in Patna’s Ram Krishna Nagar area. Jha, who ran a grocery store and lived with his family above the shop, was attacked by an unidentified assailant who arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire.
Senior police officials, including SP Patna East Parichay Kumar, visited the scene. “The victim was being taken to the hospital but died en route. CCTV footage shows the attacker arriving on a bike. There is no sign of robbery,” Kumar said.
He added that the motive behind the murder remains unknown. “There were no prior complaints from the victim. He had moved from Darbhanga to Patna a year ago. An investigation is underway, and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is examining the crime scene.”
Both murders have raised serious concerns over law and order in the state capital and the response of local police to threats to public safety.
