The Supreme Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the alleged fake encounter killing of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. The PIL raises concerns about the rise in extra-judicial killings and “half encounters.” Scheduled for June 30, the Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu will address the matter.
The writ petition, presented by advocate Vishal Tiwari as the petitioner-in-person, lists the Union of India, the State of Bihar, the Director General of Police, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as respondents. Initially, the Supreme Court had denied an urgent hearing on the issue, directing the petitioner to approach the apex court registry for listing.
The PIL requests the registration of an FIR related to the encounter killing of Tiwari on June 17 in Bhojpur. It also seeks a judicial inquiry led by a former SC judge and a CBI investigation. The petition argues that encounter killings violate the rule of law and democracy, with police often justifying such actions by claiming the deceased tried to snatch a weapon and open fire while attempting to escape.
Referring to the Bhojpur incident, the petition mentions that Tiwari was fatally shot shortly after a Facebook Live broadcast where he indicated willingness to surrender under certain conditions. The deceased’s father alleged that Tiwari had no criminal record, FIR, or charge sheet against him and was shot despite surrendering his weapon.
