Patna: The President’s Secretariat has taken cognisance of a petition seeking action in the alleged police encounter killing of Bharat Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district and has directed the Bihar Chief Secretary to take appropriate action. The development came a day after the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition related to the case, asking the petitioner to approach the High Court instead.
The case has continued to draw public attention, with thousands expected to gather on June 30 for Bharat Tiwari’s Tehravin (13th-day mourning ritual) in his native village.
President’s Secretariat Forwards Petition
According to the petitioner, Senior Supreme Court advocate Sanjeev Kumar Singh emailed a representation to the President on June 24, seeking intervention in the case.
On Monday, the President’s Secretariat forwarded the matter to the Bihar Chief Secretary, directing the state government to take necessary action and inform the petitioner of the steps taken.
Singh said his petition was based on the FIR registered in connection with Bharat Tiwari’s encounter death. He demanded the immediate arrest of all police personnel named in the FIR, including the concerned Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Station House Officer (SHO), and personnel of the Special Task Force (STF).
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Plea
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to hear the petition relating to Bharat Tiwari’s encounter death and directed the petitioner to seek relief before the High Court.
The Court did not examine the merits of the allegations and limited its order to granting liberty to approach the appropriate High Court.
Preparations Underway for Tehravin
Extensive arrangements have been made in Bilauti village for Bharat Tiwari’s Tehravin ceremony.
Family members said preparations have been made to serve food to around 25,000 people, while additional rations have been stocked to cater to as many as 40,000 attendees if required. Ritual food preparation began a day ahead of the ceremony.
Large tents have been erected in fields surrounding the village, with seating, cots, coolers and fans installed for visitors expected to attend the tribute gathering and Akhand Puja.
On Monday, Bharat Tiwari’s elder brother, Basant Tiwari, performed Gau Daan as part of the rituals. During the Shaiyya Daan ceremony, family members became emotional, with his mother mourning her son’s death.
Family Seeks Justice
Bharat Tiwari’s father, Kashinath Tiwari, and brother, Chandan Tiwari, said arrangements had been made for supporters travelling from Bihar and other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
His mother, Asha Devi, said she hoped the High Court would ensure justice. She also expressed a lack of confidence in the judicial inquiry constituted by the state government and the Bhojpur police.
Calls for Arrest of Police Personnel Continue
Supporters and organisers have reiterated their demand for the arrest of police personnel named in the FIR before the Tehravin. They warned that if no action is taken, protests, including a proposed march towards the Bihar Legislative Assembly, would be considered.
Organisers said office-bearers associated with the movement would announce their future course of action at a press conference after the ceremony.
Pankaj Tripathi, one of the organisers, said no formal invitations had been issued beyond the village but claimed people were arriving voluntarily from different parts of the country to pay tribute.
Brahmin Organisations Announce Protest Programmes
Several Brahmin organisations have also announced programmes in connection with the case.
The Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha said it would organise candle marches in districts of Uttar Pradesh and participate in a Mahapanchayat in Bhojpur on July 1, reiterating its demand for justice and action against police personnel found responsible.
The organisation’s national president, Pandit Rajendra Nath Tripathi, said representatives from several states were expected to attend the gathering, where future strategy would be discussed.
Other organisations, including the Parashuram Sena, the Akhil Bharatiya Chanakya Parishad and the Rashtriya Adhikar Morcha, also issued statements demanding action in the case and raising issues concerning the interests of the upper-caste community.
Background
Bharat Tiwari died in a police encounter in Bhojpur district on June 17. An FIR has since been registered in connection with the incident. The encounter has triggered legal proceedings, political reactions and protests, with supporters demanding an independent investigation and action against police personnel accused in the case.
