The Supreme Court has rejected the petition demanding a CBI investigation into the Bhojpur encounter. The petitioner was directed to approach the High Court. Activist Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was killed in an alleged police encounter on June 17, the issue of which is controversial.
New Delhi [भारत]June 30 (ANI): The Supreme Court refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the alleged police encounter of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district.
The bench of Justices MM Sundaresh and Sheel Nagu told the lawyer who filed the PIL that he can approach the concerned High Court with his petition.
The PIL, filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari, sought registration of an FIR against the police personnel who allegedly killed Tiwari and formation of an independent expert committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge to investigate the extrajudicial killing.
Who was Bharat Bhushan Tiwari?
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a student and local activist from Biloti village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, was killed in an alleged police encounter on June 17. Tiwari was known for vocally speaking out against corruption and administrative failure at the local level, particularly the lack of government rehabilitation for flood-affected people in Jawania village.
What is the claim of the police?
Frustrated with government officials, Tiwari had posted videos on Facebook in which he was seen brandishing an illegal weapon and threatening to “encounter” local administrative officials. On June 16, the Bhojpur police released an official statement declaring that Tiwari was “mentally unstable” and that they were attempting to disarm him and send him to a mental asylum for treatment.
On June 17, the standoff ended with Tiwari being shot and later succumbing to his injuries during treatment. Bhojpur police claimed that Tiwari fired 8 to 10 rounds continuously at the police team from his illegal pistol, forcing the STF personnel to retaliate in self-defense.
Why are questions being raised on the encounter?
In a video streamed live on Facebook just before the firing, Tiwari was seen standing in an open field, addressing the camera and throwing his pistol towards the police in an apparent sign of surrender. His family and local residents argue that police shot an unarmed man who had already surrendered.
What action did the government take?
This incident has turned into a major political and legal crisis in Bihar. Following public outrage and immense political pressure, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has ordered a formal independent judicial inquiry led by a retired High Court judge. The administration has suspended four police officers, including the local station in-charge (SHO), with immediate effect pending the investigation.
Father appealed for justice
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari’s father has expressed serious concern over the manner of his son’s murder and demanded justice. Speaking to reporters here, Kashinath Tiwari said, “The whole world was watching how he was killed. If I don’t get justice, what will I get? The administration, the judge and everyone was watching when he was killed. There is nothing to hide here. They say there will be an investigation, but no one knows what its outcome will be.” (ANI)
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