Bhojpur Police deny SP Raj threatened Bharat Tiwari's family in encounter case
Synopsis
The Bhojpur Police and the family of encounter victim Bharat Tiwari are telling two sharply different stories about a condolence visit — one a respectful assurance of fair inquiry, the other an alleged veiled threat. With a judicial probe already underway and departmental action taken against officers, the SP's conduct during that private conversation could become a flashpoint in the case.
Key Takeaways
Bhojpur Police issued an official press release on 27 June rejecting allegations that SP Raj threatened Bharat Tiwari's family.
Brother Chandan Tiwari alleged the SP warned him that 'similar action' could be taken against him during a condolence visit.
Police say female personnel from Shahpur police station were present throughout the visit and no threats were issued.
A judicial inquiry into the Bharat Tiwari encounter is already underway, and several officers have faced departmental action .
The family's and the police's accounts of the meeting differ sharply, with both sides maintaining their version of events.
The Bhojpur Police have formally rejected allegations that Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj threatened the family of Bharat Tiwari during a condolence visit, calling the claims circulating on social media and certain media platforms 'false, baseless, and devoid of facts.' The denial, issued via an official press release, comes amid mounting scrutiny over the controversial Bharat Tiwari encounter case in Bihar.
What the Family Alleged
Bharat Tiwari's brother, Chandan Tiwari, alleged that SP Raj took him aside during the condolence meeting and described his brother as a criminal who had been killed after opening fire on the police. Chandan further claimed that the officer warned him that similar action could be taken against him — allegations that have sharply intensified public debate around the encounter and the conduct of the police in its aftermath.
What the Police Said
According to the Bhojpur Police's official statement, SP Raj visited the Tiwari residence solely to offer condolences, interact with family members, and assure them of an impartial inquiry. The press release noted that female police personnel from Shahpur police station were present throughout the visit. The police said the family itself requested a conversation away from the gathered crowd, after which the discussion took place at a short distance — a detail the department presented as evidence of a respectful, not coercive, interaction. The statement added that the allegations 'appear to have been influenced by external factors,' without elaborating further.
Key Developments in the Encounter Case
A judicial inquiry into the Bharat Tiwari encounter is already underway. Several police personnel have faced departmental action in connection with the case, signalling that authorities have not treated the matter as routine. The family, meanwhile, reportedly raised concerns about their safety during the meeting and demanded a fair investigation — a point the police did not dispute, though they categorically denied any intimidation.
Competing Claims and What They Mean
The two accounts diverge sharply on a single, consequential question: whether a senior police officer used a condolence visit to pressure the family of an encounter victim. The Bhojpur Police maintain the interaction was conducted respectfully; the family maintains it was used to deliver a veiled warning. Notably, this is not a peripheral dispute — it goes to the credibility of the ongoing investigation itself. Political parties and investigative authorities are closely watching both sets of claims.
What Happens Next
The findings of the judicial inquiry are expected to be decisive in establishing the facts surrounding Bharat Tiwari's death and the conduct of officers involved. Until then, the competing narratives — from the family and from the department — will continue to shape public and political perception of the case. The Bhojpur Police have appealed to the public not to spread rumours or unverified information while the inquiry is in progress.
Point of View
By itself, exculpatory — and the Bhojpur Police's press release leaves the most important question unanswered: what exactly was said when the SP and Chandan Tiwari stepped away from the crowd. The detail that female officers were present is offered as evidence of propriety, but those officers were reportedly not part of the private exchange. The judicial inquiry is the right mechanism to resolve this, but its credibility will depend on whether it can examine the conduct of the very department that is simultaneously investigating the encounter. That structural tension — the police investigating themselves — is what mainstream coverage is underplaying.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bharat Tiwari encounter case?
The Bharat Tiwari encounter case involves the killing of Bharat Tiwari by police in the Bhojpur district of Bihar. The circumstances of the encounter are disputed, and a judicial inquiry has been ordered to determine the facts surrounding his death.
What did Chandan Tiwari allege against SP Raj?
Chandan Tiwari, brother of Bharat Tiwari, alleged that SP Raj took him aside during a condolence visit and described his brother as a criminal killed after firing at police, and warned that similar action could be taken against Chandan himself.
How did the Bhojpur Police respond to the threat allegations?
The Bhojpur Police issued an official press release calling the allegations false, baseless, and devoid of facts. They stated that SP Raj visited only to offer condolences and assure the family of a fair investigation, and that female officers were present throughout.
Is there an official inquiry into the Bharat Tiwari encounter?
Yes, a judicial inquiry into the encounter is already underway. Several police personnel have also faced departmental action in connection with the case, according to official statements.
Who is affected by the outcome of this investigation?
The Tiwari family, the police personnel named in connection with the encounter, and the broader public in Bhojpur district are directly affected. Political parties and civil society groups are also closely monitoring the inquiry's findings.
