Bihar Policing Crisis Exposed? Viral Videos Before Encounter Of Bharat Tiwari In Bhojpur Sparks Massive Controversy

Patna: The encounter of a man named Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bhojpur district has shook Bihar, triggering a massive controversy over the apparent policing crisis in the state. The case centers around a viral Facebook Live video showing Tiwari apparently surrendering, in spite of which police allegedly hit him with four-five bullets, killing him in an "encounter".

Cops Suspended

Four police officers, including Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Kumar Malakar, were suspended with immediate effect following the encounter of Bhushan Tiwari.

“The suspended officers were faulted for negligence and failure to act decisively when the accused displayed a weapon,” an official said. The suspension was related to the lack of operation alertness showed by the cops in an episode with Tiwari a day before his encounter.

What Happened A Day Before Encounter?

On June 16, a viral video showed Bharat Tiwari brandishing a pistol and pointing the firearm at police officers at his home. The police had reached his house upon receiving information of Tiwari allegedly brandishing weapons in public.

In a statement, police claimed that when they reached his home, they found that Tiwari was “mentally unstable”.

The police claimed that they were now preparing to send him to a mental hospital.

The police returned to his village the next day. Thereafter, Tiwari moved to an open filed and went live on Facebook, following which the apparent surrender and encounter episode took place.

Did He Surrender? The Facebook Livestream

Bharat Tiwari started a livestream on Facebook when police approached him on June 17. In the video, he was heard saying that his only demand is that from now on, no politician, minister or secretary will play with our society. “If this does not happen, people like me will have to take up weapons,” he stated, adding that development work should be done without carelessness and corruption.

He was further heard saying, “Jab maange puri hongi to shashtra daal diya jaayega. Isme koi samasya nahi hai. Agar iske baad in logo ne kuch chal kiya…toh samaj or desh ke log aap samajhna iske baad ki inka kya ilaaj karna hai. Agar mai zinda reh gaya aur ye sab mere saath kuch galat nahi kiya toh….agar chal karega to mere taraf se bhi chal hoga. (If my demands will be fulfilled, I am ready to surrender. I have no problem in surrendering. If these people do anything wrong after this, then the people of this country should look into it…If I stay alive and they do not do anything wrong with me…)"

He added, "Maange puri hone ka sambhavan dikh raha hai…toh chaliyae, hathiyaar rakh diya jaata hai. Bharosa kijiyae…Lijiyae…Fek de? (I see hope that my demands will be fulfilled. Come on then, let me surrender my gun. Trust me. Shall I throw it towards you?)"

He was then seen throwing the gun towards the police, categorically surrendering and telling his viewers, “Hathiyaar inko de diya gaya hai. (I have given them my gun).”

Bharat Tiwari's death triggered massive protests and blockades by locals in Bihar.

CM Samrat Choudhary Orders Inquiry

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has ordered a judiciary inquiry in the case.

In a post on X, the CM wrote, “It has been decided to conduct a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court judge for an independent and impartial investigation of the police encounter that took place on 17.06.2026 in Bilaoti village under the Shahpur police station area of Bhojpur district.”

He stated that the objective of the judicial inquiry is to ensure a thorough investigation of all aspects of the incident with complete impartiality and transparency.

Encounter Completely Wrong: Ashwini Choubey

Many BJP leaders and ministers have questioned the encounter, with Union Minister Ashwini Choubey saying, “His encounter despite surrendering the firearm and himself is completely wrong and inhuman. Action should always be confined to the legal limits. The culprits in the case should be punished with a death sentence.”

Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari called for proper investigation, saying, “If he was a mentally disturbed person (because the police stated a day before his death that he was in such a mental condition) and had thrown his firearm then in what circumstances the police personnel present there did his encounter..”

Criminal Or Activist? Who Was Bharat Tiwari?

Several videos are going viral on social media showing Bharat Tiwari brandishing firearms. As mentioned above, a video showed him pointing a pistol at police officers. Another video also showed him firing at the officers, however, his bullets were not seeing hitting anyone.

According to police, when STF and local officers attempted to apprehend him during an operation in Bilauti village, he opened fire, forcing them to retaliate in self-defense.

Meanwhile, supporters and family members view him as a social activist who used livestreams and videos to advocate for local villagers. He frequently spoke out against systemic issues, corruption, and the struggles of flood-affected and displaced communities.

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