Paswan promises justice in Bharat Tiwari killing case

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday said police officials allegedly responsible for the killing of Bharat Tiwari in Bihar's Bhojpur district would face strict punishment.

Tiwari, a resident of Bilauti village within Shahpur police station limits, allegedly opened fire on a police team with an illegal firearm when officers attempted to arrest him on June 17, officials said.

Police claimed they retaliated in self-defence, during which Tiwari sustained bullet injuries and later died while undergoing treatment.

His family, however, alleged that he had surrendered before the shooting and had discarded his weapon. The incident triggered a public outcry, prompting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to order a judicial probe.

Opposition leaders, including Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, have demanded that the inquiry be conducted by a sitting, and not a retired, judge of the Patna High Court, and threatened to launch an agitation if the demand was not met.

"Those responsible for maintaining law and order cannot take the law into their hands. Protectors cannot be allowed to become predators. Strict punishment will be awarded to officials who are behind Tiwari's killing," the Union Food Processing Industries Minister told reporters in Bhojpur during his visit to Tiwari's native village.

Paswan said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue and will communicate with Choudhary on this matter.

"A fair investigation and justice to Tiwari's family remain our top priority. I met Shah and will provide full information about our discussion to CM Choudhary," he said.

Paswan said it is crucial to identify and punish the culprits to ensure that people's trust in the law-and-order system remains intact.

"Tiwari seemingly tried to surrender. He could have been arrested and interrogated, but nobody should have taken the law into their hands," the union minister said.

Asked about the reported promotion of a police officer accused in the case, Paswan termed it "unacceptable".

"If any accused officer has been promoted, I will raise the matter with Choudhary. It is completely unacceptable that an officer accused of murder be promoted," he said.

Paswan also assured that the investigation would be entrusted to an agency in which Tiwari's family reposes confidence.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's statement justifying the Bhojpur encounter has created a stir in political circles.

"Police action was appropriate. Had they not fired, they would have been killed themselves. Police acted in accordance with the law and shot the accused below his waist. If their intention was to kill him, they would have shot him in his head or chest," Manjhi told reporters in Patna.

He alleged that a case was already lodged against Tiwari under SC/ST Act and that he carried a non-licensed revolver.

On Paswan's remark on the issue, Manjhi said, "Will we necessarily repeat what he (Paswan) says? We have already made our view clear in this matter."