The Supreme Court refused to entertain a PIL seeking a CBI probe into the alleged June 17, 2026 police encounter of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in Bihar. The Bench questioned the petitioner’s locus standi and granted liberty to approach the High Court instead.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a PIL submitted by advocate Vishal Tiwari, seeking a CBI probe into a reported police encounter on June 17, 2026, in which 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was allegedly killed in Bhojpur district, Bihar.
While it refused to issue any order on the PIL, a two-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice M M Sundresh and also comprising Justice Sheel Nagu gave the petitioner liberty to approach the High Court.
The court said in its order,
“No sorry. Not entertaining this. Liberty given to approach HC,”
During the hearing, the bench asked Tiwari about his standing to file the petition, questioning his locus standi.
The bench observed,
“Who are you to file this case? Sorry,”
In response, Tiwari stated that he was the PIL petitioner in the matter. However, the Supreme Court, unconvinced, rejected his plea outright.
The PIL
In his PIL filed before the Supreme Court, Tiwari sought registration of an FIR against the police personnel alleged to have killed Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, and constitution of an independent expert committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge to investigate the alleged extrajudicial killing.
Tiwari also argued that the incident was extremely serious and that such encounters were becoming frequent. He maintained that the right to life was being violated and therefore the court should issue appropriate directions and orders.
The petition further sought a CBI investigation, asserting that the case required a prompt, independent, and impartial probe.
Bharta Tiwari Encounter Incident
The death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a police encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has become a major controversy, with allegations of a possible fake encounter and demands for an independent investigation. The incident took place on June 17, 2026 and triggered widespread debate over police powers, alleged extra-judicial killings, and the need for transparency in encounter cases.
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a young resident of Bilauti village under Shahpur police station area of Bhojpur, was known locally for raising public issues through social media and interacting with villagers on civic matters. Reports described him as someone who regularly highlighted local problems and grievances. His death during a police operation brought attention to the circumstances leading up to the encounter.
According to reports, before the encounter, Tiwari had gone live on social media, where videos circulated showing him holding a firearm and making statements that drew police attention. The police later initiated action against him, leading to a confrontation between him and a police team.
The police version of the incident states that a team of Bihar Police and Special Task Force (STF) officials reached the area to take action against Tiwari. Police officials alleged that he was armed, posed a threat, and opened fire during the operation, following which the police retaliated. He sustained injuries and later died.
However, Bharat Tiwari’s family members and some local residents disputed the police account. They alleged that he had surrendered and that he was shot despite no longer posing a threat. Questions were raised over whether the use of force was justified and whether the incident followed legal procedures applicable to police encounters.
The controversy intensified after videos related to the incident circulated online. Some people claimed that the footage contradicted the police version, while authorities maintained that the operation was carried out after a threat situation developed. The conflicting accounts led to demands for a neutral inquiry.
Following public outrage, the Bihar government ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. The inquiry was aimed at examining whether the police action was lawful, whether proper procedures were followed, and whether there was any wrongdoing during the operation.
The matter also reached the Supreme Court through a petition seeking an independent probe, including a demand for a CBI investigation into the alleged fake encounter. The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing at that stage and directed the petitioner to follow the regular listing process.
The case has raised wider legal questions regarding encounter killings in India. Under Supreme Court guidelines, every death caused during a police encounter must be properly investigated to determine whether the force used was necessary and lawful. The Bharat Bhushan Tiwari case is now being examined through the lens of accountability, due process, and protection of constitutional rights.
The final findings of the judicial inquiry will determine whether the police action was a lawful encounter or whether further criminal proceedings are required against those involved. Until the investigation concludes, both the police version and the allegations made by the family remain matters under examination.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE