New Delhi, June 23: In a significant development, lawyer Nishant Verma has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding the encounter of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari by Bihar police in Bhojpur. The complaint requests the NHRC to take suo motu cognizance and seek reports from the Bihar government, the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), and the Superintendent of Police (SP).
According to the complaint, on June 17, Bihar police conducted an encounter in Bhojpur district (Ara Commissionerate). Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, 28, was known locally for raising public issues through social media and interactions with officials. Villagers described him as a social activist who highlighted the problems faced by impoverished families, flood victims, and displaced communities.
The complaint states that reports indicate Tiwari went live on Facebook a day before the encounter. On the morning of June 17, police surrounded his home. When Tiwari stepped outside to speak with the police, he reportedly threw away his firearm after receiving some assurances. Despite this, police shot him multiple times in the legs and once in the abdomen. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported for better medical care to Patna.
Nishant Verma’s complaint emphasizes that Tiwari had no criminal record and was a victim of a corrupt system, fighting for the rights of the marginalized and flood-affected individuals. It argues that he could have been detained instead, and this extrajudicial killing could have been prevented.
The letter further notes that the Supreme Court had provided detailed guidelines for investigating police encounters in the case of ‘People’s Union for Civil Liberties vs. State of Maharashtra (2014) 10 ACC 635.’
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled ‘Vishal Tiwari vs. Union of India’ has been filed in the Supreme Court for immediate hearing, where a judge has instructed the lawyer to mention the case before the registrar. This case has yet to be listed for hearing.
The letter asserts that the NHRC can take suo motu cognizance under Section 17 of the Human Rights Protection Act of 1993, particularly when the government acts arbitrarily, violating the rule of law and fundamental human rights, including unlawful killings.
The complaint demands that the NHRC take immediate action regarding this heinous and unjust murder by the Bihar state police and request reports from the DGP, ADG, Ara Division, and the SP of Bhojpur district.
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