The killing of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in an alleged police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has sparked a major political controversy, with questions being raised about the circumstances of the operation, protests erupting locally, and concerns also emerging from within the ruling BJP.
The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident under the supervision of a retired High Court judge, stating that the matter will be examined impartially and transparently. At the same time, police have defended the encounter, claiming it took place in self-defence after Tiwari allegedly opened fire during an operation conducted by a police team along with STF personnel.
According to police accounts, they acted on information that Tiwari was firing a pistol in Bilauti village on June 17. Officers said that when the team reached the spot, they repeatedly asked him to surrender, but he allegedly continued firing. Police further stated that STF personnel wearing bulletproof jackets advanced to control the situation, after which Tiwari allegedly fired again, leading to retaliatory action in which he sustained a bullet injury to his leg. He was later taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital, where he died. Officials also said that a pistol, live cartridges, a magazine, and empty shells were recovered from the site.
However, the incident came under scrutiny after videos circulated on social media that appeared to show Tiwari discarding a weapon before being shot. The authenticity of these visuals has not been independently verified. The case has also raised questions about whether proper procedure was followed and whether the situation could have been de-escalated differently.
Following the controversy, Bihar Police suspended four personnel, including the station house officer, citing alleged lapses in the handling of the operation. This decision came amid allegations linked to another purported video showing an armed individual pointing a pistol at security personnel, raising questions about the response of officers on the ground.
The issue has also created political ripples within the ruling BJP, with several leaders expressing concern over the manner in which the encounter was carried out. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha described the incident as “sad and unfortunate,” pointing to possible administrative negligence and stating that those responsible for lapses would face action. Other BJP leaders, including Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, Rituraj Sinha, and MLA Anand Mishra, also questioned the operation, with some suggesting that non-lethal alternatives should have been considered.
Locally, the incident triggered protests in Bilauti village in Shahpur, where family members and residents blocked the Ara-Buxar highway by placing the deceased’s body on the road. Protesters alleged that it was a fake encounter and demanded a high-level investigation into the killing.
The matter has also reached the Supreme Court, where a petition has been filed seeking a CBI investigation, registration of an FIR against the police personnel involved, and the formation of an independent committee headed by a retired judge to examine the case.
Public figures have also commented on the incident, with Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh calling for a fair and transparent investigation. He said the circumstances surrounding Tiwari’s death raised serious questions and that only an impartial probe could establish the truth behind the encounter.
