Bharat Tiwari Encounter Case: Judicial Probe Chief Meets Family During Bhojpur Village Visit

The judicial inquiry into the alleged encounter killing of Bharat Tiwari in Bihar’s Bhojpur district formally began on Thursday, with Justice (Retd) Vinod Kumar Sinha visiting Bilauti village and meeting the bereaved family, marking the first on-ground assessment of the case that has triggered political controversy and public protests.

Justice Sinha, who heads the judicial commission constituted by the Bihar government, was accompanied by Bhojpur District Magistrate Tanai Sultania, DIG Satya Prakash, and SP Raj during the visit. According to officials and multiple reports, the team recorded statements from family members and also began preliminary collection of evidence and ground-level inputs from locals.

The inquiry was ordered by the state government following escalating political pressure and allegations of a “fake encounter,” with the case drawing sharp scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society groups. Authorities have stated that the commission will examine official records, witness statements, and all circumstances surrounding the June 17 incident before submitting findings.

Police maintain that Tiwari, a resident of Bilauti village under Shahpur police station limits, opened fire on a police team during an arrest attempt and was injured in retaliatory firing, later dying in hospital. However, the family continues to reject this version, alleging that he had already surrendered and was unarmed, and has cited circulating videos as supporting evidence, which authorities have not independently verified.

During the visit, Tiwari’s family reiterated their demand for strict action against those responsible and renewed calls for a CBI investigation , expressing scepticism about the police version and seeking wider accountability.

The case has also taken a strong political turn, with Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor demanding a broader probe into senior officials and warning of intensified agitation if justice is delayed. Opposition leaders have similarly called for expanding the scope of the inquiry beyond Bhojpur district.

The judicial commission is expected to continue recording statements and reviewing documents in the coming days as part of its ongoing investigation.