POLICE SHOT BHARAT IN THE VEHILCE, DID NOT EVEN SPARE PRIVATE PARTS: MOTHER

POLICE SHOT BHARAT IN THE VEHILCE, DID NOT EVEN SPARE PRIVATE PARTS: MOTHER

27-JUNE-ENG 19

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The Bharat Tiwari encounter case in Bilauti village (Shahpur, Bhojpur district) has now escalated. After a murder case was registered against the police, his mother, Asha Devi, alleged that the police deliberately shot Bharat in his private parts.

There is an uproar in Bihar over the high-profile Bharat Tiwari encounter case. A murder case has been registered against the police personnel involved, and an investigation is underway. Now, Bharat Tiwari's mother has made a startling claim regarding her son's encounter. Mother Asha Devi claims that her son, Bharat Bhushan, was shot twice even while inside the police vehicle. Furthermore, she alleges that the police deliberately shot him in his private parts. Serious allegations are being leveled against the police by Bharat Bhushan Tiwari's mother and sister regarding this encounter.

Following claims that Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was shot after surrendering, his mother, Asha Devi, and sister, Ruby Pandey, have alleged that he was also shot while inside the police vehicle. They state that after he surrendered, the police shot Bharat Bhushan Tiwari three times. Subsequently, while he was being transported to the hospital in a wounded state, he was shot twice more in the vehicle. The family alleges that the police deliberately shot Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in his private parts as well.

Bharat Tiwari's mother, Asha Devi, says her son was killed through treachery. She claims he was murdered after surrendering, under the guise of an encounter. Overcome with grief at the loss of her son, she said, "The case has been registered; now there is hope that justice will be served." "True relief will only come when the person who killed my son is hanged... A case has been registered, but I will only be satisfied once the sentence is actually handed down."

They have expressed satisfaction that a case has been registered against the police personnel involved in the encounter, including the Jagdishpur SDPO and the then Station House Officer (SHO). Meanwhile, people have hailed the registration of a murder case against the police personnel—albeit five days after the incident—as the first victory of their agitation. They state that the next phase of the struggle will focus on ensuring the guilty police personnel are jailed and dismissed from service.

It is worth noting that on the morning of June 17, Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was shot by the police during an encounter. He was injured and subsequently died while undergoing treatment. Instead of registering an FIR regarding the shooting, the police had filed separate cases under the Arms Act against Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, his father, and his brother. Furthermore, an FIR was also lodged against the people who were blocking the road in protest against the incident. This sparked public outrage and led to a vigorous agitation. On June 22, a murder case was finally registered against the police personnel.

A *Mahapanchayat* (grand assembly) of the community will be held today, Wednesday, at the Kundeshwar Nath Temple complex in Bilauti village, Shahpur block, to demand justice in the encounter case involving social activist Bharat Bhushan Tiwari. A large number of people from various districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are expected to gather at this *Mahapanchayat* and tribute meeting, which is being organized near the temple complex and the four-lane highway. An extensive public outreach campaign has been conducted in the area regarding the event. According to the organizers, the *Mahapanchayat* will discuss an impartial investigation into the Bharat Tiwari case, securing justice for the aggrieved family, and formulating future strategies for the agitation. Leaders from various political parties, representatives of social organizations, public representatives, and prominent citizens are expected to attend the event.

In anticipation of the crowd, arrangements have been made at the venue for 20 water tankers, drinking water, the distribution of *Prasad* (sanctified food offering), and other basic amenities. A team of local youths and social activists has been working for several days on preparations for the *Mahapanchayat*. Pankaj Tiwari, a member of the organizing committee, stated that the event aims to strengthen the demand for justice in the case and demonstrate community solidarity. It is worth noting that the alleged encounter of Bharat Tiwari has been a topic of discussion in the area for some time, with various social and political organizations demanding an impartial inquiry. Against this backdrop, the *Mahapanchayat* is considered significant in terms of the region's social and political activities.