Plea in SC Seeks Independent Probe Into Bihar Encounter Killing

New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an independent investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killing of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a police encounter in Bihar.

The plea filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari demanded the formation of an expert committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge and a CBI probe into the incident, citing the need for an impartial investigation.

The incident, which took place in Bhojpur district on June 17, sparked controversy as the victim’s family claimed that the victim surrendered and threw away his gun before being shot. The Bihar government announced that a judicial investigation would be initiated into the matter.

The request for urgent listing was filed before a bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi, who directed the petitioner to approach the registrar.

The petition claimed that in a democratic system, the police cannot have the authority to punish and that this authority belongs to the judiciary.

Regarding the incident, the defense stated that concerns were expressed regarding police procedures and the use of force during encounters, and that there had been an increase in such cases in Bihar in recent years.

He described the murder as “suspicious” and warned that legitimizing such actions based on past criminal incidents would undermine the rule of law.

The plea also cited the 2014 Supreme Court order laying down guidelines for investigating police encounters and sought directions to the Center to ensure states comply with these rules.

According to the petition, Tiwari died due to his injuries while being admitted to a hospital in Patna.

In its initial statement, the police said that Tiwari shot at the staff, which led to retaliatory action in self-defense, during which he received a bullet wound. While family members said he was a public activist who raised local issues, they described him as “mentally unstable.”