The judicial inquiry into the Bharat Tiwari alleged police encounter case in Bihar's Bhojpur district advanced on Saturday, 11 July, as the deceased's parents recorded their statements separately before the commission constituted by the Bihar government to probe the incident. The testimonies were recorded before Justice (Retd.) Vinod Kumar Sinha, who is heading the inquiry.

What the Father Told the Commission

Kashinath Tiwari, father of the deceased, told reporters after his deposition that he informed the commission about everything he witnessed on the day of the incident. He said the police had taken him to the station and kept him there throughout the day while the incident unfolded, preventing him from being present at the scene. He said he presented the sequence of events as he personally experienced and understood them.

When asked about the inquiry's progress, Kashinath Tiwari said the commission informed him that the investigation is still underway. He expressed hope that an impartial inquiry would lead to appropriate action.

Mother's Account and Key Concerns Raised

Asha Devi, the deceased's mother, also appeared before the commission and gave her account of what she had personally witnessed. She said the commission questioned her in detail for approximately one hour to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Asha Devi said she raised several issues before the commission, including the arrest of the police personnel accused in the case, information about a mobile phone linked to the incident, and her broader concerns about how the investigation has been handled. She also named the police personnel she suspected were involved.

The commission, she said, informed her that statements of all concerned persons and witnesses would first be recorded, after which further action would be considered based on the evidence collected.

Inquiry Process and What Comes Next

The commission is recording witness statements in phases. Other family members have also been summoned and are expected to depose in the coming days. Testimonies of the police personnel involved in the incident and additional witnesses are also scheduled to be recorded before the commission reaches its findings.

Asha Devi said the outcome would become clearer only after all witnesses have been examined and the full inquiry process is completed. The commission's findings, once submitted, will be considered by the Bihar government for further action in what has emerged as a high-profile accountability case.