Bihar Govt Orders Judicial Inquiry Into Bhojpur Police Encounter As Political Pressure Mounts And Public Outrage Intensifies

Patna: Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday announced a judicial inquiry into the recent police encounter in Bhojpur district in which a youth was killed even after his alleged surrender.

Choudhary stated that an independent and impartial investigation would be conducted into the police encounter that took place in Bilauti village under Shahpur police station limits in Bhojpur district on June 17.

CM ordered judicial inquiry after leaders from both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA block slammed the government

over the death of a youth, Bharat Bhusan Tiwari, in the police encounter.

Choudhary wrote on ‘X’, "It has been decided to conduct a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court judge to ensure an independent and impartial investigation into the police encounter. The purpose of the judicial inquiry is to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation of all aspects of the incident."

Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed against the youth's father, Kashinath Tiwari, and brother, Chandan Tiwari, as accused. The FIR was filed on June 17 at Shahpur police station by the then station house officer, Rajesh Malakar, who was later suspended in the case. Police allege that the family protected Bharat Tiwari and helped him conceal illegal weapons. 

Another FIR relates to the incident that led to a massive uproar and road blockade in the area following the encounter. A case has been registered against 14 named and over 50 unidentified individuals.  Police said the action was taken on charges of disrupting law and order and inciting a mob.