A controversial police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has sparked tension and protests after a youth identified as Bharat died following a confrontation with security personnel. While police claim he was shot in retaliatory fire after opening fire on officers, the family has alleged that he was killed despite surrendering.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video from Bharat’s Facebook Live surfaced online. In the footage, he is seen throwing a pistol towards police personnel stationed at a distance and expressing concerns about his safety before surrendering.
Addressing a public meeting in Patna on Wednesday, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary referred to the incident and praised the Bihar Police. He said he was informed that the youth was “mentally disturbed” and had been admitted to a mental health facility in Koilwar. Director General of Police Vinay Kumar was also present at the event.
However, the official police version differs from the video narrative. According to a press release issued by Bhojpur Police, authorities received information around 9 am on Wednesday that Bharat was firing in the air in his village. A team, including Special Task Force (STF) personnel, reached the spot and asked him to surrender.
Police claim Bharat continued firing intermittently, endangering lives. “When STF personnel moved to take him into custody, he fired at them. The police retaliated in self-defence,” the statement said. He was reportedly shot in the leg and later succumbed to injuries at Patna Medical College and Hospital. A pistol, two live cartridges, one magazine, and two spent cartridges were recovered from him.
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Bharat’s family, however, has strongly contested the police account. His father, Kashinath Tiwari, alleged that his son had already surrendered by throwing away his weapon. “He had no criminal history. Despite surrendering, he was shot multiple times. This was a deliberate killing,” he claimed, demanding justice and punishment for those responsible.
The incident triggered protests in the area. On Thursday morning, locals blocked the Ara-Buxar Expressway, staging a demonstration with Bharat’s body. The protest turned violent, with stone-pelting reported, prompting police to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and restore traffic movement.
Taking cognisance of the situation, Shahabad Range DIG has suspended the local Station House Officer Rajesh Malakar, along with a sub-inspector and three constables. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered into the incident.
The case continues to raise serious questions regarding the sequence of events, use of force, and adherence to protocol, with both administrative and public scrutiny intensifying.
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