Patna: RJD MP from Buxar Sudhakar Singh has sought Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s intervention after senior Bihar IPS officer Kundan Krishnan allegedly sent him a defamation notice over his questions concerning the suspicious death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari and an alleged fake encounter in Bilauti village, Bhojpur.
In a letter to the Speaker, Singh has requested an inquiry into the matter and urged that it be referred to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges if a prima facie case is established.
According to the MP, Krishnan sent the legal notice through his personal counsel, demanding a public apology and warning of a defamation suit seeking Rs 5 crore in damages, along with possible criminal proceedings.
Singh has argued that the notice raises questions about the exercise of his parliamentary duties and has asked the Speaker to examine whether it could amount to an attempt to deter him from raising the issue in the House.
MP Seeks Scrutiny Of Police Leadership
The controversy centres on the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari and allegations of a fake encounter in Bilauti village. In his letter, Singh states that the police personnel involved were suspended and an FIR was registered following a complaint by the deceased’s mother.
The state government has constituted a committee to conduct a judicial inquiry into the incident, but its findings have not yet been made public, according to the MP.
Singh has argued that the investigation should not be confined to lower-ranking police personnel. He has pointed out that Krishnan was serving as director general of the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) at the time of the incident.
The MP has called for an impartial examination of the decision-making process, communications between officers, information conveyed to police headquarters and the role of senior leadership.
These questions, however, remain matters for investigation, and no definitive conclusions about the allegations can be drawn without further findings.
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Bihar Police Officer Kundan Krishnan Sends Rs 5 Crore Defamation Notice To RJD MP Sudhakar Singh
Article 105 And Parliamentary Privileges
Singh has cited Article 105 of the Constitution, which concerns the powers and privileges of Parliament and its members, while seeking protection for elected representatives to raise questions about administrative actions and alleged misuse of authority.
He has expressed apprehension that the defamation notice could discourage him from raising the matter in Parliament.
The MP has asked the Speaker to clarify in what capacity Krishnan issued the notice and whether he had obtained authorisation from the Bihar or central government.
Singh has also referred to Rule 17 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and questioned whether the private law firm involved was representing Krishnan in his personal capacity or had also been authorised to represent the Bihar government.
Questions Over Government Authorisation
In his letter, Singh has sought details of any order authorising the law firm to represent the government, including the scope of such authorisation.
He has also requested an update on the status of the judicial inquiry into Tiwari’s death and access to its findings.
The MP has urged the Speaker to take appropriate steps to protect the dignity of the House and the independence of its members if any pressure or retaliation arises in connection with their parliamentary duties.
The matter now awaits a response from the Lok Sabha Speaker and the other parties concerned.
