Patna: The Bihar government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the controversial police encounter involving Bharat Tiwari in Bhojpur district, amid growing political scrutiny and demands for an independent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the decision, stating that a retired High Court judge would conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident that took place on June 17 in Bilauti village under Shahpur police station limits.
The government said the inquiry would seek to establish the facts surrounding the encounter and ensure a fair and transparent examination of the case.
Questions Over Police Action
The case has sparked intense debate after allegations emerged that Bharat Tiwari had surrendered before being shot by police.
Videos circulating on social media have fuelled questions about the sequence of events leading to the encounter, prompting calls for greater scrutiny of the police operation.
Announcing the inquiry on social media platform X, Choudhary said the government’s objective was to remove any doubts and ensure that all aspects of the incident were examined impartially.
भोजपुर जिले के शाहपुर थाना क्षेत्र के बिलौटी गांव में दिनांक 17.06.2026 को हुई पुलिस मुठभेड़ की स्वतंत्र एवं निष्पक्ष जांच हेतु उच्च न्यायालय के सेवानिवृत्त न्यायाधीश द्वारा न्यायिक जांच कराने का निर्णय लिया गया है। न्यायिक जांच का उद्देश्य घटना के सभी पहलुओं की निष्पक्षता एवं…
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) June 20, 2026
Concerns Raised Across Political Spectrum
The encounter has drawn criticism not only from opposition parties but also from leaders within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said videos related to the incident had raised several concerns and warranted a detailed investigation.
He argued that the suspension of four police personnel following the incident was insufficient and called for a thorough inquiry under the supervision of senior officials.
Jha also stated that if any police personnel were found to have violated the law, they should face action comparable to that taken against criminal offenders.
Former Union minister Ashwini Choubey similarly questioned the circumstances of the encounter, asking why force was used if Bharat Tiwari had already surrendered.
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Political Fallout Extends Beyond Bihar
The controversy has also attracted attention outside Bihar.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the ruling party in neighbouring Jharkhand, criticised the Bihar government and demanded an impartial investigation into the incident.
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also targeted the state government and police authorities, drawing comparisons between Bharat Tiwari and freedom fighter Bhagat Singh while demanding accountability.
Competing FIRs And Allegations
The legal fallout from the encounter continues to expand.
Police have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the incident. One of the cases reportedly names Bharat Tiwari’s father and brother among the accused.
Meanwhile, Bharat Tiwari’s mother, Asha Devi, has levelled serious allegations against police officials involved in the operation.
She has demanded the registration of an FIR against the Jagdishpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the then Station House Officer (SHO) of Shahpur police station.
Asha Devi has alleged that the conduct of police officials throughout the episode was questionable and has called for a detailed investigation into their role.
Probe To Examine Full Sequence Of Events
The judicial inquiry is expected to examine the events leading up to the encounter, the police response, the circumstances surrounding Bharat Tiwari’s injuries and death, and the allegations raised by family members and political leaders.
The case has become one of Bihar’s most closely watched law-and-order controversies in recent months, placing the actions of local police under intense public and political scrutiny.
The government has said the judicial probe will help establish accountability and ensure that the truth behind the incident is brought to light.
