Uproar over Bharat Tiwari encounter intensifies: FIR of murder against police officers including SDPO-SHO, questions raised on action changed by ‘message’

The case of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari encounter in Bhojpur district of Bihar is becoming increasingly serious. Now a new twist has come in this case when on the complaint of Bharat Tiwari’s mother, a case of murder has been registered against Jagdishpur SDPO Rajesh Kumar Sharma, the then city police station incharge Rajesh Malakar (currently suspended) and other policemen.

Even after eight days of the encounter, the biggest question remains that if Bharat Tiwari had allegedly surrendered, then why did the police firing take place after a few minutes? Meanwhile, the discussion of an alleged “message” has made the whole matter more mysterious.

Family members accused of murder after surrender

A case has been registered under Shahpur police station case number 178/26, section 103(1)(5) of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) and Arms Act. The investigation of this case has been handed over to Inspector Sanjeev Kumar.

In the FIR, Bharat Tiwari’s mother Asha Devi has alleged that her son had surrendered before the police. He claimed that Bharat had been continuously demanding to talk to senior officers and the SDPO had assured to listen to him and consider his demands.

According to family members, after this assurance, Bharat threw his weapon in front of the police and surrendered.

Situation suddenly changed after the conversation

According to local villagers, after the surrender, there was a peaceful conversation for some time between SDPO Rajesh Kumar Sharma and Bharat Tiwari. But after some time the atmosphere suddenly changed and firing took place.

This incident has now become the most important and controversial part of the entire matter.

Questions raised on mysterious ‘message’

In this matter, an alleged message is being discussed the most. Family and local people claim that after Bharat Tiwari’s surrender, a message came from someone, after which the direction of the entire operation changed.

It is being alleged that the encounter action was taken after this message. It is also being claimed that the five suspended policemen were only following the instructions of senior officers.

However, this alleged message has not yet been officially confirmed by any government agency or police. At present it is limited to allegations and discussions only, but it has become an important point in the investigation.

Big difference between the claims of police and family

Bhojpur Police says that Bharat Tiwari had attacked the police team and retaliated in self-defense. According to the police, he was shot only in the leg.

The allegations of the family members are completely different. They say that Bharat was thrown on the ground and five bullets were fired from very close range. The family claims that the bullet had hit his upper body and even his testicles.

This is why many questions are being raised regarding the official statement of the police and the post-mortem report.

Controversy over post mortem report also

Villagers claim that three bullets were fired at the spot, while the post-mortem revealed that five bullets were found.

Family members allege that two bullets might have been fired later. However, this claim has not yet been confirmed by any investigating agency.

Accusation of removing video recording

Local people say that while the conversation was going on between Bharat Tiwari and the police officers, many villagers were making videos from their mobile phones.

It is alleged that the police removed them from there. Despite this, some people claim that they have seen the entire incident from a distance. If the existence of any video footage comes to light during the investigation, it can become the most important evidence in the case.

Family said- Bharat was under mental stress

According to family members, Bharat Tiwari had been raising the problems of flood displaced people of Javniya village for a long time. He constantly tried to convey local issues to the government through social media and Facebook Live.

Mother Asha Devi says that her son was definitely under mental stress, but his intention was only to convey his views to the administration.

Government put SDPO on line

Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the Bihar government has taken action and issued an order to SDPO Rajesh Kumar Sharma to contribute to the police headquarters.

On the other hand, the demand for an impartial investigation into this matter is increasing.

Public anger increased in the village

After the death of Bharat Tiwari, continuous protests are taking place in Biloti village. Mahapanchayat has been organized in the village. Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav has met the victim’s family, while actor Pawan Singh’s wife Jyoti Singh has also reached the village and demanded a fair investigation.

Family members claim that Bharat Tiwari had said before his death, “There will be revolution in Bihar after my death.”

Now, after the registration of FIR of murder, allegations against senior police officers and discussion of alleged mysterious messages, this case has come to the fore as not just a police encounter but a big question on the law and order and police action of entire Bihar.