Ara/Patna: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor visited Bilauti village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Wednesday, joining a large Mahapanchayat convened to demand justice for Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, whose death following a police encounter has triggered a growing political and legal controversy.
Kishor met members of Tiwari’s family and addressed the gathering, where participants from Bihar and several other states assembled to press for action in the case and discuss the future course of the campaign seeking accountability.
The Mahapanchayat comes little more than a week after Tiwari was shot during a police encounter on June 17. He later died while undergoing treatment, prompting questions from family members, community groups and opposition figures about the circumstances surrounding the operation.
Kishor Warns Of Escalating Protest
Addressing the gathering, Kishor said justice would not be achieved unless action was taken against those responsible for ordering the encounter.
He warned that if the government failed to take action within 15 days, protesters would organise a demonstration larger than the Mahapanchayat itself.
“If action is not taken within 15 days, a crowd bigger than today’s gathering will assemble outside Samrat’s residence,” Kishor said, referring to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
Kishor also questioned statements made by senior leaders following the encounter and argued that the state government needed to provide greater clarity regarding the events that led to Tiwari’s death.
Thousands Gather In Bilauti
The Mahapanchayat drew participants from multiple states, reflecting the attention the case has received beyond Bihar. Organisers said people had travelled from across the country to express solidarity with the family and discuss legal and social strategies aimed at securing justice. Among those attending was Vijay Pratap Singh from Uttar Pradesh, who shared updates about the gathering on social media.
The event was held in Bilauti, Tiwari’s native village in Shahpur block of Bhojpur district, where local residents and community organisations have been mobilising support since his death.
Legal Battle Reaches Higher Courts
Alongside public demonstrations, the case is increasingly moving into the courts.
Advocate Vishal Tiwari has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an investigation into the encounter by a special committee headed by a retired judge. The petition argues that an independent inquiry is necessary to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
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A separate petition has also been filed before the Patna High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the encounter.
The legal challenges come amid continuing scrutiny of the police action and growing demands from supporters of Tiwari’s family for an impartial investigation.
