Bihar police arrest STF constable in ‘Bharat Tiwari fake encounter case’

Kashinath Tiwari, father of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, talks to the people ahead of his 'Terahvi', who was killed in a police encounter, in Bhojpur. | Photo Credit: ANI A Special Task Force (STF) constable, Akshay Kumar, was arrested by Bihar Police on Friday (July 31, 2026) in connection with the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in an encounter in Bilauti village. Mr. Kumar was the first officer to open fire on Tiwari; he was followed by other police officers.Twenty-eight-year-old Bharat Tiwari died on June 17, 2026, in an alleged fake encounter in the Bhojpur district under the Shahpur police station area, though he had surrendered to the police. Bhojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj said the STF constable was arrested in a joint operation by Bhojpur Police and STF.A police official said that the constable had not cooperated with the investigation and had been absent and absconding, leading to his suspension. The police had already seized his service pistol in connection with the encounter.Mr. Tiwari’s family met Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on July 24, 2026, after which Mr. Choudhary assured the aggrieved family that they would receive justice.Massive public outrageSeveral people, including ruling party leaders, had raised questions about the killing of a man who was fighting for the rehabilitation of flood-affected people and had been engaged in social work.The incident sparked massive public outrage and protests across the region after the video of his surrender went viral. On June 20, the Bihar Government ordered a judicial inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge.Five police personnel have been suspended in the case. According to a press release by the Bhojpur SP’s office, on June 23, the Bihar Police registered a case of murder against Jagdishpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Shahpur SHO Rajesh Malakar, “and other assisting policemen” under section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.“Akshay Kumar was the first to open fire at my son, then the DSP opened fire, followed by Malakar and other police officers. A total of five bullets were fired at my son. All the police officers responsible for killing my son should be arrested,” Asha Devi, Tiwari’s mother, told the media.Tiwari’s younger brother, Chandan Tiwari, said that all those responsible for the killing should face capital punishment. Published - July 31, 2026 09:27 pm IST