Patna, June 22 (IANS) The controversy over the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in an alleged police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has intensified, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Patna High Court seeking an independent probe.

Advocate Mukesh Kumar has approached the High Court, demanding an impartial probe and legal action against police personnel found responsible for the encounter.

The petitioner has sought an urgent hearing of the matter before the bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai.

The PIL calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari.

According to the petition, a video had allegedly surfaced on social media before the encounter showing Bharat Tiwari carrying a pistol.

The petitioner questioned why the police did not arrest him or seize the weapon at that time if he was indeed armed.

Family members of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari have consistently alleged that the encounter was staged. According to them, he had surrendered and was unarmed at the time of the incident.

The family has also objected to the police registering an FIR against the deceased’s father, brother, and several villagers following the protests.

The Bhojpur police have maintained that Bharat Tiwari fired between 10 and 12 rounds at the police team during the operation. According to the police, officers returned fire in self-defense, resulting in his injuries.

The injured man was initially taken to Ara Sadar Hospital and later referred to PMCH, Patna, where he died during treatment. The Bihar government has already announced a judicial inquiry into the incident. The investigation is expected to be conducted by a retired High Court judge.

However, the petitioner has pointed out that while the government announced the judicial inquiry, a formal notification regarding the probe has yet to be issued. As an initial administrative action, four police personnel have been suspended in connection with the case.

Reports also indicate that the Station House Officer of Shahpur police station has been suspended.

The PIL additionally seeks security protection for the victim’s family and demands accountability if wrongdoing is established.

The incident has triggered protests in several districts of Bihar. In Gopalganj, hundreds of citizens, social activists, and members of various organizations participated in a candle march from Post Office Chowk to Thana Chowk.

Participants alleged that the encounter violated legal procedures and human rights protections. Many protesters claimed that Bharat Tiwari had surrendered before the shooting and described the incident as a premeditated killing.

Protests were also held in Kaimur district, where political activists and social organizations organized an outrage march from Bhabua Municipal Ground to Ekta Chowk.

During the protest, leaders demanded strict punishment for those responsible.

Binod Tiwari of the Parashuram Sena alleged that the encounter was staged and called for the dismissal of the officials involved.

The controversy continues to revolve around two conflicting versions as police claimed that Bharat Tiwari opened fire on the police team, forcing officers to retaliate in self-defense.

The family and local residents, on the other hand, claimed that he had surrendered and was subsequently shot.

Following his death, villagers staged protests and blocked the national highway on June 19 by placing his body on the road.

With the matter now before the High Court, human rights bodies, and a proposed judicial inquiry, multiple parallel processes are expected to examine the circumstances of the encounter and determine whether procedures were followed or whether any violations occurred.

–IANS

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