BHARAT WAS KILLED AS HE WAS A CRIMINAL, IF YOU SPEAK UP, YOU WILL BE KILLED, VICTIM’S BROTHER BLAMED THE SP

BHARAT WAS KILLED AS HE WAS A CRIMINAL, IF YOU SPEAK UP, YOU WILL BE KILLED, VICTIM’S BROTHER BLAMED THE SP

27-JUNE-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------A judicial inquiry into the high-profile Bharat Tiwari encounter in Bihar is underway; however, his family members have leveled serious allegations against the Bhojpur Superintendent of Police (SP). Bharat's brother, Chandan Tiwari, stated that SP Mr. Raj visited their home and not only threatened them to remain silent but also warned that if they did not stay quiet, they too would be killed, just like his brother.

Chandan Tiwari recounted that when the SP visited their home on Wednesday night, he took him aside and intimidated him. Bharat's brother said the SP told him to stop the agitation, noting that an investigation was in progress. "Your brother was a criminal. He had pointed a gun at the Station House Officer (SHO), which is why he was killed. If you keep speaking out like this, you will be killed too." Chandan, however, asserted that the people of Bihar now know the full truth and that the movement would not stop.

Chandan Tiwari alleged that the administration is deliberately concealing the SDO's name from the case. He stated that his brother's primary conflict was with the SDO, yet the administration is suppressing the official's name. He demanded an impartial investigation into the SDO's role in the entire matter.

"Your brother was a criminal. He was brandishing a gun at the SHO, so he was killed. Now, if you speak up like this, you will be killed too. He didn't say anything in front of the media but threatened me after taking me aside; however, we are not going to be intimidated. The SDO is being shielded, even though my brother's conflict was with him." — Chandan Tiwari, Bharat Tiwari's brother.

Bharat Tiwari's brother warned that if an impartial investigation is not conducted and action is not taken against the guilty, the agitation will intensify. He stated that if they do not receive justice, the government will be held accountable. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary will have to answer for it; if necessary, Samrat Chaudhary will have to step down from his post.

On Wednesday, the SP met with Bharat Tiwari's family members, accompanied by several senior police officials, including Ara Sadar SDPO-2 Ranjeet Singh and Jagdishpur DSP Pankaj Kumar Mishra. Information regarding the incident was gathered from the parents and siblings, and an assurance of justice was given.

Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a resident of Bilauti village under the Shahpur police station area, died in an encounter on June 17. His family has alleged that the police shot him after he had already discarded his weapon. Initially, however, the police had described the incident as retaliatory action taken in self-defense. Following the ensuing controversy, an FIR was registered against five police personnel, including the SDPO and the SHO.