Patna: The judicial inquiry into the Bharat Tiwari encounter case formally commenced on Thursday as a team led by retired Patna High Court judge Vinod Kumar Sinha visited Bilauti village in Bhojpur district to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The inquiry team inspected locations linked to the encounter and met members of Bharat Tiwari’s family. Shahabad Range DIG Satya Prakash, Bhojpur District Magistrate Tanay Sultania, Superintendent of Police Raj and other administrative officials accompanied the retired judge during the visit.
Inquiry Team Meets Family Members
During the visit, Vinod Kumar Sinha met Bharat Tiwari’s parents and brother to hear their account of the events. The team also gathered information related to the sequence of incidents and inspected sites considered relevant to the investigation.
Speaking briefly to reporters, the retired judge declined to comment on the merits of the case, stating that the inquiry was still at an early stage.
Mother Seeks Strict Action and CBI Probe
Bharat Tiwari’s mother, Asha Devi, reiterated her demand for strict action against those she holds responsible for her son’s death.
According to Asha Devi, the inquiry team asked the family to submit their demands in writing. She said she urged the commission to ensure the harshest possible punishment for those found guilty and sought action against the officials and police personnel involved in the case.
She also renewed her demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, stating that she hoped the judicial process would bring out the truth.
Encounter Triggered Political and Public Debate
Bharat Tiwari died in a police encounter on June 17. Following the incident, his family lodged an FIR against the police personnel concerned, alleging that the encounter was staged.
The case has since attracted significant public and political attention, with social organisations and community groups calling for an impartial investigation.
Amid growing demands for accountability, the state government ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Cabinet Approved Judicial Inquiry
The Bihar cabinet, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, approved the proposal for a judicial inquiry earlier this week. Following the decision, a commission headed by retired Justice Vinod Kumar Sinha was constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
The inquiry is expected to collect testimonies, review official records and assess evidence related to the incident before submitting its findings.
SP Meets Family Eight Days After Encounter
On Wednesday night, Bhojpur Superintendent of Police Raj visited Bharat Tiwari’s residence and met family members for about an hour.
According to the family, the SP said he had come to hear their concerns rather than offer explanations. He assured them that every aspect of the case would be examined impartially and that further action would depend on the findings of the investigation.
During the meeting, Asha Devi again demanded a CBI probe and action against police personnel allegedly involved in the encounter.
Mahapanchayat Warns of Further Protest
The issue has also led to protests in Bilauti village. A Mahapanchayat organised in the village demanded that concerns raised by Bharat Tiwari during his lifetime be addressed.
Participants warned that if their demands remained unmet, they would organise a march to the Bihar Legislative Assembly after the completion of the family’s post-death rituals.
Political Activity Intensifies
The case continues to generate political interest. BJP MLC Pawan Singh is expected to meet Bharat Tiwari’s family, adding a political dimension to an inquiry that has already drawn widespread public attention.
With the judicial inquiry now underway, the family says it is looking to the investigation for justice, while the administration has maintained that the probe will be conducted fairly and impartially.
