Ara/Patna: The controversy surrounding the encounter death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari has taken a new turn, with villagers alleging that the 24-year-old had been actively campaigning for the rights of families displaced by Ganga river erosion and questioning the use of government rehabilitation funds.
The allegations have gained renewed attention after Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that a retired High Court judge would conduct a judicial inquiry into the incident.
Residents of Bilauti and neighbouring Javainia village have accused the administration of targeting Tiwari because of his activism and have questioned the circumstances under which he was killed during a police operation earlier this week.
Villagers Allege Irregularities In Rehabilitation Funds
According to local residents, more than half of Javainia village was washed away by Ganga erosion last year, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.
The government subsequently allocated funds for rehabilitation and the provision of basic amenities for displaced families. However, villagers allege that there were serious irregularities in the implementation of those schemes.
Chhathu Chaudhary, a local resident, alleged that corruption was widespread in the administration and claimed that those who questioned official actions often faced pressure.
“The government releases funds for public welfare, but anyone who raises questions about their utilisation becomes a target,” he said.
Mukesh Chaudhary, another resident, claimed that Bharat Tiwari had been demanding transparency in the use of funds meant for displaced families.
“He wanted the money to be spent honestly on the people for whom it was intended,” he said.
Campaign For Basic Amenities
Villagers said Tiwari had been pressing authorities to provide electricity, drinking water and other basic services to around 70 families relocated from Javainia to Bilauti.
Several residents credited him with helping secure essential amenities for displaced households and monitoring local development projects.
According to villagers, he had also raised concerns about incomplete infrastructure work, including demands that deep pits left in the area be properly filled.
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Allegations Against Local Administration
Some residents have levelled allegations against local officials, claiming Tiwari faced pressure because of his activism.
Upendra Gond, a villager, alleged that a senior administrative officer had threatened Tiwari in the past. He claimed Tiwari acquired a firearm for self-protection because he feared for his safety.
The allegation has not been independently verified.
Residents also questioned the police version of events, arguing that Tiwari’s conduct before the encounter was inconsistent with that of a hardened criminal.
“If he intended to attack the police, he would have done so. Instead, he was talking to them,” one villager said.
Questions Over Encounter Continue
The encounter has sparked widespread debate across Bihar, with opposition leaders, ruling alliance figures and civil society groups demanding a transparent investigation.
Umesh Bin, another resident, said the incident had heightened concerns about corruption and accountability in local governance.
“If people raising their voices against corruption are treated this way, what message does it send?” he asked.
Villagers have demanded an independent audit of government funds allocated for the rehabilitation of erosion-affected families, arguing that such an investigation could help determine whether Tiwari’s activism played a role in the events leading up to his death.
Judicial Probe Underway
The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the encounter, to be conducted by a retired High Court judge.
Officials have said the probe will examine all aspects of the incident and establish the facts surrounding the police action.
Meanwhile, Bharat Tiwari’s death continues to fuel protests and public debate in Bhojpur, with residents insisting that the inquiry must not only examine the encounter itself but also the allegations regarding rehabilitation works and administrative conduct raised by local communities.
The allegations made by villagers have not been independently verified, and the administration has yet to respond publicly to several of the claims. The judicial inquiry is expected to examine the competing accounts surrounding the case.
