The Supreme Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Tuesday regarding the alleged fake encounter killing of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. The PIL raises concerns about the increasing trend of extra-judicial killings and “half encounters.” The Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu will address the matter as per the causelist on the apex court’s official website.
The PIL, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, lists the Union of India, the State of Bihar, the Director General of Police, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as respondents. The petition seeks the registration of an FIR related to Tiwari’s encounter killing on June 17 in Bhojpur. Additionally, it calls for a judicial inquiry led by a former SC judge and a CBI investigation.
Encounter killings, as per the petition, are viewed as extra-judicial executions that challenge the rule of law in a democratic society. The plea highlighted the case of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a 28-year-old who was fatally shot shortly after a Facebook Live broadcast where he expressed willingness to surrender under certain conditions.
The petition also mentioned the deceased’s father’s claims that Tiwari had no criminal record, FIR, or charge sheet against him and was shot despite surrendering. The incident sparked protests in the village, with residents demanding an inquiry into the use of lethal force post-surrender.
The PIL not only seeks an investigation into the Bhojpur encounter but also aims to address extra-judicial killings and ensure adherence to Supreme Court guidelines on investigations into encounter deaths. It referenced alleged encounter cases in Uttar Pradesh, pointing out the emergence of “half encounters” and the need for judicial intervention to protect constitutional rights and uphold the rule of law.
