Tiwari was shot during a standoff with police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel on June 17.
NEW DELHI: The father of 28-year-old activist Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who died in a police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district earlier this month, has demanded justice, saying his family has little faith that the ongoing investigation will deliver accountability.Speaking to reporters, Kashinath Tiwari questioned the circumstances surrounding his son’s death and urged the authorities to ensure a fair probe.”People across the world were watching how he was killed. If I don’t get justice, then what will I get? The administration, the judges, everyone was watching how he was killed… There is nothing to hide here. They say there will be an inquiry, but no one knows what the outcome will be,” he said.Kashinath Tiwari also expressed doubts over the assurances of an investigation, saying the family remained uncertain whether those responsible would be held accountable.The incident has sparked widespread political controversy in Bihar, with opposition parties questioning the police version of events and demanding accountability. In response to mounting public pressure, the state government has ordered an independent judicial inquiry led by a retired High Court judge. Four police personnel, including the local Station House Officer (SHO), have also been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
What is the case?
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a student and local activist from Bilauti village in Bhojpur district, was shot during a standoff involving local police and the Special Task Force (STF) on June 17.According to police, Tiwari had earlier posted videos on Facebook displaying an illegal pistol while threatening local administrative officials over alleged government failures to rehabilitate flood-affected residents in Jawania village. A day before the encounter, Bhojpur Police described him as “mentally unstable” and said efforts were underway to disarm him and transfer him to a mental health facility.Police claimed Tiwari fired eight to ten rounds at officers with an illegal pistol, forcing STF personnel to return fire in self-defence.However, a Facebook Live video recorded shortly before the shooting has fuelled controversy. The footage appears to show Tiwari standing in an open field, addressing viewers before throwing his pistol towards police officers in what his family and local residents describe as an act of surrender. They allege he was unarmed when he was shot.Chief minister Samrat Choudhary also defended his government’s approach, saying, “The Bihar government will not bow before criminals. Anyone committing a crime will not be spared under any circumstances. The government is continuously conducting intensive campaigns against criminals and will continue these efforts in the future.”
