Patna: The Jan Suraaj Party organised a candlelight march at Kargil Chowk in Patna on Sunday to protest against the police encounter in which Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was killed, alleging that the incident was a “fake encounter” and demanding criminal action against the officers involved.
Party workers and leaders gathered at the protest site carrying placards and candles, calling for a judicial investigation, the registration of an FIR against the police personnel concerned and compensation for the deceased’s family.
The demonstration comes amid mounting political and public scrutiny of the encounter, which has already prompted the Bihar government to order a judicial inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge.
Jan Suraaj Demands Compensation And Action Against Officers
Addressing the gathering, Jan Suraaj leaders demanded that the state government provide Rs 1 crore in compensation to Bharat Tiwari’s family and offer a government job to one of his relatives.
They warned that their agitation would continue if the demands were not met.
Party leaders alleged that the police had wrongly described the incident as an encounter and maintained that those responsible should face criminal proceedings.
Placards displayed during the march carried slogans including “No fake shootings; we need protectors, not predators”, “The rule of the Constitution, not the bullet, must prevail”, and “Killing after surrender is an assault on democracy”.
Leaders Allege Senior Officials Must Be Investigated
Imtiyaz Warish, Jan Suraaj’s Muzaffarpur district president, described Bharat Tiwari as a victim of police excess and demanded action against senior officers as well as personnel directly involved in the operation.
He alleged that responsibility for the incident extended beyond junior officers and called for investigations into the roles of senior district officials.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the police have not publicly responded to the specific claims raised during the protest.
Encounter Case Reaches Supreme Court
The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court.
A letter petition has been filed seeking immediate judicial intervention, including a court-monitored inquiry into the encounter and directions for the registration of a murder case against the police personnel involved.
The petition was submitted by Supreme Court advocate Narendra Mishra.
According to the plea, Bharat Tiwari had no criminal background, and the actions taken against members of his family following the encounter require judicial scrutiny.
The petition also seeks a response from the Bihar government regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bihar Government Orders Judicial Inquiry
Amid growing controversy, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary earlier announced that the state government would order a judicial probe into the encounter.
The investigation will be conducted by a retired High Court judge and is intended to establish the facts surrounding the police operation and subsequent allegations.
The government has said the objective is to ensure a fair, transparent and impartial inquiry.
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Bihar Govt Orders Judicial Probe Into Bharat Tiwari Encounter Amid Mounting Political Pressure
FIRs Registered In Connection With Incident
Police have registered two separate FIRs related to the Bhojpur encounter case.
One case includes allegations of illegal possession of firearms, obstructing public servants, opening fire on police personnel and harbouring an accused. Bharat Tiwari’s father and brother have also been named in that FIR.
A second FIR relates directly to the police encounter itself.
Meanwhile, Bharat Tiwari’s mother, Asha Devi, has sought legal action against police officials involved in the operation. She has submitted an application demanding the registration of an FIR against the Jagdishpur SDPO and the then Station House Officer of Shahpur police station.
The judicial inquiry, coupled with proceedings now sought before the Supreme Court, is expected to bring further scrutiny to a case that has rapidly become one of Bihar’s most politically contentious issues in recent weeks.
