Bihar CM orders judicial probe into Bharat Tiwari encounter

Facing mounting political pressure over the police encounter of Bharat Tiwari in Bhojpur, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Announcing the decision on X, Choudhary said a retired High Court judge would conduct an "independent and impartial" probe into the June 17 encounter in Bilaoti village under Shahpur police station.

"The objective of the judicial inquiry is to ensure a thorough investigation of all aspects of the incident with complete impartiality and transparency," the CM said.


Police had shot dead 30-year-old Bharat Tiwari after he allegedly brandished firearms while streaming live on Facebook. His family and local residents, however, claimed that the police opened fire even after he had surrendered his weapon.

The incident has triggered criticism from within the ruling NDA, with BJP leaders including state minister Mithilesh Tiwari and former Union minister Ashwini Choubey, besides JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha and Union minister Chirag Paswan, raising questions over the police action.

The controversy is significant as Choudhary has repeatedly spoken in public about pursuing a tough policing model similar to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's approach to encounters since assuming office.