PATNA — The Bihar Chief Minister’s Secretariat directed the state Home Department on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to initiate an inquiry into the issues raised by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh, including a ₹5 crore defamation notice sent to him by a senior police official.
The row centers on statements made by Singh concerning the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who was killed during an encounter involving the Special Task Force (STF) in Bhojpur district on June 17, 2026. Kundan Krishnan, Director General of Police (Operations) and STF, previously slapped a legal notice on the parliamentarian, demanding a retraction and a public apology.
Secretariat Directs Home Department Review
In an official communication, Mohammad Imran, Deputy Secretary at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, instructed the Home Department’s Principal Secretary to review the grievance submitted by the Lok Sabha lawmaker, as reported by The Hindu.
The directive calls for appropriate administrative action regarding Singh’s petition, which requested an impartial probe into Tiwari’s killing, oversight of the operational command hierarchy during the incident, and clarification regarding whether a serving officer can serve private legal notices against an elected representative raising public interest matters.
"As per instructions, it is requested that an inquiry be conducted or caused to be conducted. Please take an appropriate decision, inform the Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Sudhakar Singh, of the action taken, and provide a copy of the same to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat," the formal letter stated.
The Encounter and Escalating Legal Battle
The dispute began following the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, a resident of Bilauti village in Bhojpur district, on June 17, 2026. Police authorities characterized the event as a lawful encounter, but Singh, who represents the neighboring Buxar constituency in the Lok Sabha, publicly questioned the narrative, terming the circumstances "suspicious deaths" at the hands of the STF.
In response to those public statements, Kundan Krishnan issued a legal notice on October 6, 2026. The notice accused Singh of making "false and disparaging statements" against the police force and demanded an unconditional public apology within 15 days, failing which Krishnan would file a ₹5 crore civil defamation suit.
Rather than apologizing, Singh escalated the matter on October 15, 2026, by petitioning the state administration. Singh queried whether the Bihar government formally sanctioned the legal notice served by an active civil servant against a sitting Member of Parliament discussing law enforcement conduct.
| Date | Key Event | Entities Involved |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Bharat Bhushan Tiwari killed in alleged encounter | STF, Bihar Police, Bhojpur District |
| October 6, 2026 | ₹5 crore defamation notice served to MP | Kundan Krishnan (DG Operations/STF) |
| October 15, 2026 | Formal representation submitted questioning state stance | Sudhakar Singh (Lok Sabha MP, RJD) |
| October 27, 2026 | Directive issued ordering Home Department review | Bihar CM Secretariat, Home Department |
Administrative and Legal Implications
The Chief Minister Secretariat’s intervention shifts the issue from a private legal altercation into an administrative assessment of service rules and legislative oversight. Under central service rules governing civil servants, officers generally face restrictions regarding public litigation and administrative sanctions when disputes touch upon government duties.
The Home Department is now tasked with formulating an official stance, reviewing the encounter proceedings, and formally apprising Singh and the Chief Minister's office of any impending disciplinary or judicial review steps.
