Bihar encounter victim's family rejects government aid, demands punishment for police

The family of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who was killed in an alleged police encounter in Bihar's Bhojpur district, has said it will not accept the government's offer of financial assistance and a government job until the police personnel involved are punished and sentenced to death. The family members, while acknowledging the government's announcement, insisted that justice must come first.

Tiwari, 28, a resident of Bilauti village, was killed on June 17, 2026. His mother, Asha Devi, said on Friday that the family was satisfied with the government's offer but would not accept it until those responsible for her son's death were hanged. She also demanded that her son be given the status of a martyr.

His father, Kashinath Tiwari, a retired police constable, echoed the demand for martyr status but stressed that the primary concern was justice. “Above all this, we want justice and strict punishment for those involved in the fake encounter of my son,” he said.

The victim's elder brother, Chandan Tiwari, called for the immediate arrest of the officials involved. “The officials who are roaming free after killing my brother should be taken into custody immediately. They should be given the harshest punishment, even the death sentence,” he said.

When asked about the offer announced by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in a social media post on August 13, Chandan Tiwari said the family would discuss it together before making a decision. “Right now I cannot say anything on this. Our family will sit together and discuss before reaching any conclusion. Whatever my parents decide, we will follow, but justice must be done in the fake killing,” he added.

The victim's cousin, Anshu Kumar Choubey, also reiterated the demand for justice, saying it must prevail in the case first.

The Bihar government had earlier suspended and arrested police officer Akshay Kumar, who allegedly fired the first shots at Tiwari. On June 23, a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against five policemen. Officials have been transferred and suspended, according to a police official at the police headquarters in Patna, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The state cabinet, after its meeting on June 24, had ordered a judicial probe by retired Patna High Court judge Justice Vinod Kumar Sinha. Sources close to the government said that Sinha has submitted an interim report to the government.

In his August 13 social media post, the chief minister said that based on the interim report of the judicial inquiry, the government would provide financial assistance to the family and a government job to one of Tiwari's family members. The family, however, has made it clear that this offer will not be accepted until those involved in the killing are brought to justice.