FIR AGAINST FIVE POLICE PERSONS INCLUDING THE SDPO AND SHO

FIR AGAINST FIVE POLICE PERSONS INCLUDING THE SDPO AND SHO

24-JUNE-ENG 20

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------Administrative action has intensified in the Bharat Bhushan Tiwari encounter case. An FIR has been registered against police personnel based on a complaint filed by the deceased's mother, Asha Devi. Those named in the FIR include the SDPO and the suspended Station House Officer (SHO) of Shahpur, Rajesh Malakar.

The deceased's mother alleged that her son had surrendered by throwing away his weapon during a Facebook Live session. Despite this, the police apprehended him and opened fire. The complaint alleges that Bharat Tiwari was struck by five bullets.

In her complaint, Bharat's mother, Asha Devi, also alleged that the firing was ordered by the Jagdishpur SDPO. The family demanded an impartial investigation into the entire matter and action against the guilty police personnel; this action follows those demands. The Bhojpur SP has confirmed the registration of the FIR.

"An FIR has been registered against the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Jagdishpur, the SHO of Shahpur, and other assisting police personnel based on the complaint of the deceased's mother regarding the police encounter incident under Shahpur police station limits; investigation into the matter has commenced." – Bhojpur Police.

Bharat Bhushan Tiwari died in an alleged encounter on June 17 in Bilauti village, under the jurisdiction of Shahpur police station in Bhojpur district. The police claim that Bharat was firing at them and was shot during retaliatory action taken in self-defense. He succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in critical condition.

Contrary to police claims, the family alleges that Bharat was shot after he had complied with police orders and discarded his weapon. They maintain that he lost his life due to multiple gunshot wounds and that this constitutes murder. Furthermore, videos that have surfaced appear to show him being shot after he had surrendered his weapon.

Questions regarding the encounter are being raised not only by the general public and the opposition but also by the ruling party. Amidst the controversy, ADG (Law and Order) Sudhanshu Kumar has also acknowledged that there was a lapse on the part of the police. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he stated that strict action would be taken against the police personnel involved in the encounter, based on the findings of the investigation.

"A detailed inquiry was conducted into the Bharat Tiwari encounter case. The investigation revealed that the concerned police personnel failed to exercise the requisite caution while handling and monitoring the accused on June 16. Lapses at multiple levels regarding security arrangements and the management of the accused came to light, necessitating departmental action." — Sudhanshu Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), Bihar Police