Bharat Tiwari encounter: Post-mortem reveals five bullet wounds
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The post-mortem report in the Bharat Tiwari encounter case — one of the most contested police killings in recent Bihar memory — has revealed that Tiwari's body sustained five bullet injuries, according to details accessed from the report. The encounter took place on 17 June in Bilauti village under the Shahpur police station area of Bhojpur district, and the findings have deepened the controversy surrounding the incident.
What the Post-Mortem Report Details
According to the report, the first bullet struck the upper front portion of Tiwari's left thigh. The second hit the inner side of the middle section of the same leg. The third bullet struck the inner side of the middle of the right thigh, while the fourth entered the right thigh from the inner side and exited towards the outer side. The fifth bullet struck the middle of the left leg from the rear.
The distribution of the wounds — with multiple injuries concentrated in the lower limbs — is likely to fuel further scrutiny of the police account that officers fired in self-defence after Tiwari allegedly shot at them first.
Constable Suspended Over Public Statements
In a parallel development, East Champaran police have suspended Constable Ashish Kumar Tiwari, posted at the Motihari Police Lines, after he allegedly made public statements about the case that went viral. A departmental enquiry was conducted by the police administration, following which the suspension order was issued.
Constable Ashish Kumar Tiwari had identified himself as Bharat Tiwari's brother and commented on the encounter publicly — both on social media and to media organisations. East Champaran Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat confirmed that the matter was investigated by the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Village Names Settlement After Tiwari
Residents of Bilauti village in Bhojpur district have begun a local effort to preserve Bharat Tiwari's memory. A large signboard has been installed at the site where he was killed, carrying the message: 'Your sacrifice will always be remembered,' alongside his photograph and the date of his death.
The signboard states that a proposed settlement in the area has been named Shaheed Bharat Nagar Javainya. According to local residents, nearly 74 housing units have been allotted in Bilauti for families displaced from Javainya village. Community members and social activists have proposed that the settlement be officially named Bharat Nagar in his memory. The signboard mentions the involvement of the Yuva Parivartan Foundation in Shahpur. As of now, no official government notification or approval has been issued for the proposed name.
The Encounter and Ongoing Judicial Probe
Police officials have maintained that they opened fire in self-defence after Bharat Tiwari allegedly fired at them first on 17 June. His family, however, has alleged that he had already discarded his weapon before being shot, and claims that video evidence supports their version. The family has demanded action against the police personnel involved and sought an independent investigation.
A judicial enquiry led by retired Patna High Court judge Vinod Kumar Sinha is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Residents also say Tiwari had actively raised local issues and supported villagers in matters related to land and rehabilitation. Several locals have appealed to the Bihar government to formally recognise the settlement's proposed name and address the issues he had reportedly raised during his lifetime. The judicial enquiry's findings are expected to be a critical determinant of what action, if any, follows.