Patna, June 18, 2026
Tension gripped Bilauti village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Thursday after the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during a police encounter a day earlier.
The incident has triggered widespread protests, with family members and villagers alleging that the police used excessive force and demanding an impartial investigation.
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was injured during an encounter on Wednesday when a joint team of the Shahpur police and the Special Task Force (STF) attempted to arrest him following reports that he had been brandishing a firearm and allegedly firing at police personnel.
He was initially taken to Shahpur Referral Hospital before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where he later died during treatment.
However, the deceased’s family has strongly disputed the police version of events.
Speaking amid the protests, Bharat Bhushan’s mother questioned the circumstances of the encounter and accused the police of shooting her son despite his surrender.
“My son was dedicated to social welfare. He had surrendered, yet the police shot him. Why was he shot after surrendering?” she asked.
She further claimed that her son had been influenced by others and was not the owner of any licensed firearm.
“He had a hot temper, but someone from the village gave him the pistol and misled him. He surrendered, yet they fired five shots at him,” she alleged.
The grieving mother also described her son as someone who frequently helped people in the village and said the family was struggling to understand why such action was taken against him.
Anger over the incident spilled onto the streets as hundreds of villagers gathered near Bilauti village and blocked the Ara-Buxar four-lane highway.
Protesters placed the deceased’s body on the road and raised slogans against the police administration.
Witnesses estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 people participated in the demonstration, causing major traffic disruptions and long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway.
Villagers alleged that the encounter was staged and questioned the legality of the police action.
“There is no provision for killing a person who is surrendering. If someone wants to surrender in a case, can the police shoot him dead? An impartial inquiry must be conducted,” one protester said.
Another villager claimed that Bharat Bhushan had no criminal background and was known locally for social work.
The controversy comes days after a video allegedly showing Bharat Bhushan Tiwari brandishing a firearm went viral on social media.
According to police, officers initially visited his residence to investigate the video, during which he allegedly threatened personnel with a pistol.
Police stated that when officers returned with STF support to arrest him on Wednesday morning, he opened fire on the team, forcing them to retaliate in self-defence.
The encounter resulted in multiple gunshot injuries to Tiwari.
The incident has already led to departmental action. Following the circulation of videos from the operation, Shahabad Range DIG Dr Satyaprakash ordered the suspension of the Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO), along with a sub-inspector and a constable, citing alleged negligence and lapses in handling the situation.
Following Thursday’s protests, additional police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.(Agency)
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