The controversy surrounding the alleged police encounter death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has escalated. An advocate, Mukesh Kumar, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Patna High Court, urging an independent investigation. The PIL seeks a fair probe and legal action against any police personnel responsible for the incident.
The petitioner has requested an urgent hearing before the bench led by Acting Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai. The PIL specifically calls for an impartial inquiry into the circumstances leading to Tiwari’s death. Allegedly, a video had surfaced on social media prior to the encounter, showing Tiwari carrying a pistol.
Family members of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari have consistently claimed that the encounter was staged. They maintain that Tiwari had surrendered and was unarmed during the incident. The family has objected to the police filing an FIR against the deceased’s father, brother, and several villagers post the protests.
According to the Bhojpur police, Bharat Tiwari fired around 10 to 12 rounds at the police team during the operation. Officers retaliated, citing self-defense, which resulted in Tiwari’s injuries. Tiwari was taken to Ara Sadar Hospital and later referred to PMCH, Patna, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Bihar government has announced a judicial inquiry into the incident, to be conducted by a retired High Court judge. However, a formal notification for the probe is pending. As an initial step, four police personnel have been suspended in connection with the case, including the Station House Officer of Shahpur police station.
