Patna: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Patna High Court seeking an independent investigation into the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who was killed in an alleged police encounter in the Shahpur police station area of Bhojpur district.
The petition, filed by advocate Mukesh Kumar, also seeks legal action against police personnel found responsible if any wrongdoing is established during the investigation.
According to the petitioner, the matter raises serious concerns about the circumstances leading to the death of the young man and warrants a fair and impartial inquiry.
Petition Seeks Expedited Hearing
Advocate Mukesh Kumar has urged the division bench headed by Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai to hear the matter on an urgent basis.
The petition argues that an independent probe is necessary to establish the facts surrounding the encounter and ensure accountability.
Questions Raised Over Police Action
The PIL refers to a video that had circulated on social media before the incident, allegedly showing Bharat Bhushan Tiwari carrying a weapon.
The petitioner has questioned why police did not arrest Tiwari if they had prior information about his alleged activities. It also asks why no weapon was reportedly recovered from him before the encounter took place.
According to the petition, Tiwari died in an alleged encounter the day after the video surfaced, prompting questions about the sequence of events and the actions taken by law enforcement authorities.
Demand for Independent Investigation
The petitioner contends that, on the face of it, the incident requires scrutiny through an impartial investigation.
The plea further argues that if it is established that the deceased had surrendered and was subsequently shot, responsibility should be fixed and an FIR registered against the concerned police personnel.
Police Version of Events
Police officials have maintained that Bharat Bhushan Tiwari opened fire during the operation and allegedly fired 10 to 12 rounds at the police team.
According to the police account, officers responded with retaliatory firing in self-defence, leading to Tiwari’s death.
Government Announces Judicial Inquiry
Following a preliminary investigation into the incident, four police personnel and the Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO) have been suspended.
The Bihar government has also announced that the case will be investigated by a retired High Court judge. However, an official notification constituting the inquiry has not yet been issued.
The High Court is expected to consider the PIL and determine the course of proceedings in the coming days.
