Bihar Police Deny Excessive Force After AK‑47

The Supreme Court heard a filing in which the Bihar government refuted claims that an AK-47 rifle caused injuries during recent student demonstrations, stating the weapon was fired only into the air.

Affidavit says rifle fire caused no harm

According to the document submitted by the state, a constable found himself surrounded near JP Chowk in Siwan and discharged four rounds upward. The filing insists that none of the bullets struck anyone. A separate episode near Hathi Chowk involved an Assistant Sub‑Inspector who used a 9 mm pistol, resulting in three protesters sustaining “minor firearms injuries.”

It separates the two incidents, noting the injured individuals were not present where the rifle was discharged. A ballistic analysis is reportedly underway to confirm the weapon type, trajectory and distance.

While denying that the rifle caused wounds, the filing concedes that deploying such a weapon in a civilian crowd is improper. The Director General of Police has issued an instruction restricting the use of platoon‑level arms in routine law‑and‑order situations. The officer who fired the rifle has been placed on suspension for “undesired conduct,” and departmental proceedings have been launched.

The constable fired after feeling trapped.

The decision raises questions about training and command oversight.

Wider unrest and injuries among law‑enforcement

The report describes the demonstrations as turning violent in multiple districts, including Patna, Chapra and Bhagalpur. In Chapra on July 25, a peaceful gathering allegedly turned chaotic when anti‑social elements merged with the crowd, leading to stone‑pelting and damage to public property. The document lists injuries to two Block Development Officers, several police inspectors, sub‑inspectors and constables, including one officer who lost an eye.

It claims 157 police personnel and seven public servants were hurt, while also acknowledging that tear‑gas and water‑cannon deployment caused injuries among demonstrators.

The filing attributes the unrest to calls from student organisations AISA and RYA, linked to the CPI(ML). It notes that a rally organized by the Cockroach Janta Party on July 24 had little visible impact in the state.

Steps taken to follow court directives

In response to the Supreme Court’s interim orders, it says the Additional DGP has been instructed to preserve all video footage and related records. Personal data of demonstrators collected during the protests is being kept from public release, pending further instructions.

It reports that all minors arrested without prior criminal records were released on a simple bond. Between July 22 and July 25, a total of 69 FIRs were filed and about 500 arrests made, with 222 student protesters released on bail and 75 children freed by the Juvenile Justice Board.

The bench has observed that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed and that any use of force must be proportionate. It is considering whether to set up a Special Investigation Team or a committee headed by a retired judge to examine the allegations, and may issue a national protocol on force during demonstrations.

The matter remains pending before the judiciary; no final judgment has been issued, and the filing’s assertions will be tested against the petitioners’ claims in the forthcoming inquiry.