The death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has stirred a political debate. State Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari expressed worry over the incident and called for a thorough investigation. At an event in Buxar, the Minister termed the encounter as “unfortunate.”
While acknowledging the youth’s behavior, especially in viral social media videos showing him with a firearm, Minister Mithilesh Tiwari raised concerns about the police’s assessment of the deceased’s criminal background before resorting to force. He stressed that if police action was necessary, the aim should have been to incapacitate rather than cause a fatal outcome. The state government has taken the matter seriously, with four police personnel already suspended pending further inquiry.
The controversy revolves around a widely circulated video on social media where Bharat Bhushan Tiwari is seen pointing a pistol at police officers. The video, originating from Bilauti village under the Shahpur police station’s jurisdiction in Bhojpur district, was shared by Tiwari on his social media account. Tiwari reportedly indicated willingness to surrender in a subsequent Facebook Live broadcast.
Upon a police team’s arrival in the village to apprehend Tiwari, he allegedly opened fire, leading officers to retaliate in self-defense. Tiwari sustained gunshot wounds and was first taken to Ara Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Patna Medical College and Hospital, where he later succumbed during treatment. The incident has sparked anger in Bilauti village, where residents staged a protest, claiming that Tiwari had surrendered before being shot.
Protesters blocked roads and demanded an impartial investigation into the encounter. The situation escalated, with reports of stone-pelting and police intervention to disperse the crowd. Villagers and relatives have contested the police’s narrative, stating that Tiwari had no significant criminal history. Authorities have launched departmental and administrative inquiries into the incident, with the suspended police officers awaiting the investigation’s outcome.
