Plea Filed in Supreme Court After Cop Seen Firing AK-47 During Bihar Student Protest

Bihar Cop Suspended Over AK-47 Firing During Student Protest; PIL Filed in Supreme Court

A Bihar police officer who was seen firing multiple rounds from an AK-47 during the July 25 ‘Bihar Bandh’ protests over alleged NEET exam irregularities has been suspended, as the incident reached the Supreme Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

The petition was filed by Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, seeking the apex court’s intervention following the controversial police action during the statewide student protest.

Cop Suspended, Departmental Probe Underway

The firing took place during demonstrations organised by student groups across Bihar, where protesters took to the streets demanding action over the alleged examination paper leak. Clashes between protesters and police were reported from several districts, with security personnel using lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

After videos purportedly showing a police officer firing an AK-47 went viral, authorities suspended the officer and ordered a departmental inquiry.

Police said maintaining law and order remained their primary responsibility but stressed that any deviation from established procedures would be examined thoroughly. The inquiry will determine whether the use of the firearm complied with police protocols and whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted.

Three Injured in Siwan

Three protesters injured in the firing are undergoing treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna, where doctors said their condition is stable.

Among them is 15-year-old Md Arif, who, according to his family, was returning home after closing the shop where he worked when he was struck by a bullet in the neck. Doctors later removed the bullet during surgery, and his condition has since stabilised.

• Opposition Targets Nitish Government
• The incident has triggered a sharp political row.

Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Tejashwi Yadav demanded strict action against those responsible and shared a video on social media that appeared to show a police officer firing towards protesters.

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