KKN Gurugram Desk | In a shocking incident on Tuesday evening, BJP youth leader Rakesh Visheshwar Ojha narrowly escaped a targeted firing attack near Gopibaba Temple in Bharouli village, located in the Shahpur police station area of Bhojpur district, Bihar. Ojha was returning from a wedding ceremony when unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate fire on his vehicle.

Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported. An FIR has been lodged, and an investigation is currently underway. The incident is being viewed as a continuation of a long-standing political rivalry, notably linked to the 2016 murder of Rakesh’s father and senior BJP leader, Visheshwar Ojha.

 The Incident: Gunfire Near Temple

According to police sources and the statement provided by Rakesh Ojha, the firing occurred at around late evening hours on April 15, 2025. Ojha was on his way back from a wedding function when, near Gopibaba Temple in Bharouli village, his vehicle came under heavy gunfire.

Local residents reported hearing multiple rounds of gunshots, which triggered panic in the area. However, Ojha and others in the car managed to escape unhurt.

 FIR Filed: Accused Identified

Following the attack, Rakesh Ojha lodged an FIR at the Shahpur Police Station, naming three individuals and also including unnamed suspects.

The named accused are:

1. Shivajit Mishra – Resident of Sonbarsa village

2. Kishun Mishra – Resident of Sonbarsa village

3. Sant Mishra – Former PACS president, resident of Bharouli village

The First Information Report (FIR) includes charges related to attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and use of firearms with intent to kill. As of now, no arrests have been made.

Police Response and Ongoing Investigation

Shahpur Police Station in-charge Kumar Rajnikant confirmed that an official investigation is underway. Police have visited the crime scene, recorded statements, and launched a search operation for the suspects.

A forensic team is also expected to visit the area to collect physical evidence such as bullet shells, tire marks, and CCTV footage from nearby establishments, if available.

Rajnikant stated:

“We are taking this matter very seriously. The accused named in the FIR are under scrutiny. Further investigation is in progress to ascertain motive and involvement.”

 Political Rivalry: A Deeper Motive?

The attack is being closely linked to the murder of BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha, Rakesh’s father, who was shot dead in 2016 in a high-profile assassination case. The elder Ojha had a history of political enmity in the region, especially within local panchayat and cooperative politics.

Local political observers believe that the attempt on Rakesh Ojha’s life could be a revenge attack or a continuation of old feuds that have haunted Bhojpur’s political landscape for nearly a decade.

 Political Implications in Bihar

This incident comes at a time when Bihar’s political atmosphere is already tense due to ongoing Lok Sabha campaigning and law and order concerns.

The BJP leadership is reportedly alarmed by this brazen attack on one of its local leaders. Party insiders say the state leadership is likely to raise this issue at the state and central levels, demanding:

• Immediate arrest of accused

• Tightened security for BJP leaders in sensitive areas

• CBI or SIT probe if state investigation seems insufficient

Party workers in Shahpur and Ara have planned protests and press meets to highlight the deteriorating security conditions for political workers in Bihar.

 Brief Profile: Visheshwar Ojha (Late BJP Leader)

• Former BJP leader and influential figure in Bhojpur

• Murdered in 2016 under controversial political circumstances

• Known for his vocal stance against local corruption and mismanagement

• His death triggered political tension across central Bihar

• His son, Rakesh Visheshwar Ojha, entered politics following his father’s demise

The current attack is being widely perceived as an extension of the political vendetta that began with the senior Ojha’s assassination.

 Public Reaction and Community Response

The firing incident has caused panic and anger in Bharouli and neighboring villages. Local residents fear an escalation of political violence and are demanding increased police presence in the region.

The community has called upon district authorities to:

• Install CCTV cameras in sensitive zones

• Conduct night patrols and surveillance

• Ensure speedy justice for the victim

Many locals, especially youth groups aligned with political parties, have condemned the attack on social media platforms, tagging top BJP leaders and government officials.

 Law & Order in Focus: Bhojpur District’s Crime History

Bhojpur district, while historically rich in culture and politics, has often been in the news for gang violence, property disputes, and politically motivated attacks. Shahpur, in particular, has seen several clashes involving local leaders, especially in rural cooperatives, PACS elections, and caste-aligned factions.

The latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining law and order, particularly in politically sensitive regions ahead of elections.

 What Happens Next?

• Police custody or arrest of the named accused is likely in coming days

• Political response from BJP and opposition parties will shape the narrative

• Security review of leaders in Bhojpur and surrounding areas may be conducted

• Legal proceedings will determine whether this incident connects to prior political crimes

The incident is expected to remain in focus in Bihar politics for the next several weeks.

The attack on BJP youth leader Rakesh Visheshwar Ojha is more than an isolated act of violence; it is a reflection of the volatile intersection of crime and politics in Bihar. With old rivalries resurfacing and new political equations taking shape ahead of national elections, the stakes have never been higher.

The coming days will reveal whether the state machinery can act swiftly to deliver justice or if Bhojpur becomes yet another flashpoint in Bihar’s troubled political terrain.