New Delhi, August 18: The Bihar government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding the alleged police brutality during student protests. The state government denied accusations of using “excessive force” by the police.
In the affidavit, Bihar stated that the police took necessary measures to control the crowd when law and order deteriorated. In a specific incident in Siwan, a constable fired four rounds into the air using an AK-47 after becoming trapped in the crowd.
According to the Bihar government, no protester was injured by the bullets fired from the AK-47. The government emphasized that the weapon should not be used in law enforcement situations. It described the AK-47 as a “platoon-level weapon,” typically reserved for special operations. The state’s Director General of Police has also issued directives regarding the use of the AK-47. However, the constable involved in the firing has been suspended, and departmental action has commenced against him.
The affidavit further mentioned that an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) fired two rounds from his 9mm pistol to disperse the crowd near Hathi Chowk. During this incident, three protesters sustained minor injuries. The government clarified that these individuals were not present where the AK-47 was fired. A ballistic investigation is ongoing to gather information about the type of weapon used, the distance from which it was fired, and the angle of the shots.
Between July 22 and 25, 2026, a total of 69 FIRs were registered in Bihar, leading to the arrest of approximately 500 individuals. Under the Supreme Court’s directives, 222 student protesters without a criminal history were granted bail, while 75 minors were released through the Juvenile Justice Board.
The government stated that all children under 18 years of age without a criminal record were released on simple bonds. The police claimed that no harsh actions are currently being taken against student protesters with clean backgrounds. In its response, the government noted that the situation turned violent at various locations, including Gandhi Maidan, Jehanabad, Patna, Chapra, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Aurangabad, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Siwan.
In Chapra, after peaceful protests on July 25, the government alleged that anti-social elements infiltrated the crowd, leading to vandalism and stone-pelting. During this chaos, two Block Development Officers (BDOs), three police inspectors, two sub-inspectors, and eleven constables were injured. One BDO lost an eye, while another sustained severe head injuries and is reported to be in critical condition.
The state government claimed that throughout the protests, 157 police officers and seven government employees were injured. The government also acknowledged the use of tear gas and water cannons by the police, admitting that these actions resulted in injuries to protesters. It noted that the All India Students Association (AISA) and RYA had called for protests, while the impact of the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) protest on July 24 was minimal in Bihar.
The state government has instructed the additional Director General of Police to secure all video footage and other records as per the Supreme Court’s directives. It has also requested that the personal information and digital data of protesters collected during the demonstrations not be shared publicly or on social media. The government stated that information regarding the identities of students and protesters is not being published. The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions against police actions during student protests across the country on Tuesday.
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