Supreme Court Petition Seeks Probe Into Cop’s AK-47 Firing During Bihar Protest

Bihar Cop Suspended After AK-47 Firing During Student Protest; Supreme Court PIL Seeks Probe

A police officer in Bihar has been suspended after he was allegedly seen firing multiple rounds from an AK-47 during the July 25 ‘Bihar Bandh’ protests over alleged NEET examination irregularities. The incident has now reached the Supreme Court, where a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking judicial intervention.

The petition, moved by Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, comes amid mounting criticism over the police response to the statewide student protests.

Officer Suspended, Inquiry Ordered

The protests, organised by student groups across Bihar, witnessed demonstrations in several districts, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police at multiple locations. Security personnel resorted to lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Following the circulation of a video purportedly showing a police officer firing an AK-47 during the protest in Siwan, the Bihar Police suspended the officer and ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.

Officials said the probe will examine whether the firearm was used in accordance with standard operating procedures and determine if disciplinary or legal action is required.

Three Protesters Injured

Three people injured in the firing are undergoing treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna and are reported to be in stable condition. One of the injured, 15-year-old Md Arif, was allegedly hit by a bullet in the neck while returning home after closing the shop where he worked. His family said doctors successfully removed the bullet during surgery, and he is now recovering.

Opposition Attacks Government

The incident has sparked a political controversy, with opposition leaders accusing the Bihar government of using excessive force against students. RJD leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav demanded strict action against the officials responsible and shared a video that purportedly showed the police officer firing during the protest.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also criticised the police action, alleging that students protesting across the country were being met with excessive force. Referring to recent protests, he remarked that the pattern was the same—”pellet guns in Delhi and AK-47s in Bihar.”

Police officials maintained that preserving law and order remains their foremost responsibility but said any violation of established protocols would be dealt with seriously. They added that the findings of the departmental inquiry would determine the next course of action.