Pankaj Tripathi’s brother hospitalised after brutal attack over land dispute, 1 arrested

4 min readPatnaUpdated: Jun 22, 2026 02:49 PM IST

Pankaj Tripathi's brother Vijaynath Tiwari was seriously injured in an attack in Bihar.

The brother of actor Pankaj Tripathi was seriously injured Sunday after he was attacked with an axe in a dispute allegedly linked to a longstanding land-related disagreement in Bihar’s Gopalganj district. Police have arrested the accused and recovered the weapon allegedly used in the assault, along with bloodstained clothes, officials said Monday.

According to Gopalganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinay Tiwari, the incident took place on June 21 at Belsand Tiwari Tola village under Madhopur police station limits, where Vijaynath Tiwari was seriously injured in an alleged axe attack.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the assault stemmed from an old land dispute. “During the initial inquiry, it emerged that Vijaynath Tiwari was attacked with an axe by his neighbour over an old land dispute,” the SP said, adding that the accused has been identified as Rajesh Sah.

“A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team was also called in to collect evidence from the scene. Investigators recovered the axe used in the attack as well as bloodstained clothes that the accused was wearing at the time of the incident,” the officer said.

Gopalganj, Bihar: Brother of actor Pankaj Tripathi, Bijendra Nath Tiwari, sustained critical injuries in a sharp-weapon attack linked to an old dispute. He was shifted to Patna for advanced treatment, while police formed a special team and launched raids to apprehend the accused. pic.twitter.com/uZRLUN3WNs

— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026

He added that Vijaynath Tiwari was rushed to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for treatment and later referred to Patna for better medical care. According to doctors, his condition is stable, police said.

“A case has been registered in connection with the incident and the accused Rajesh Sah has been arrested and is being sent to judicial custody. Further legal action is being taken in accordance with law,” SP Tiwari said.

The district police said the law-and-order situation in the area remained normal and that further investigation was underway.

More about Vijaynath Tiwari and Pankaj Tripathi’s family

Vijaynath Tiwari is the brother of Pankaj Tripathi, born as Pankaj Tiwari. The actor is one of Hindi cinema’s most acclaimed actors and a recipient of the National Film Award. Hailing from Belsand village in Bihar’s Gopalganj district, actor Pankaj Tripathi is the youngest of four children born to Pandit Benares Tiwari and Hemwanti Tiwari.

Story continues below this ad

Pankaj Tripathi’s brother is a farmer who lives a simple life in their ancestral village. His family stays completely away from the film industry limelight and continues to reside in their native village, managing agricultural land.

During his school years, the actor adopted the surname ‘Tripathi’. An alumnus of the National School of Drama, he graduated in 2004 before carving a successful career in the entertainment industry. Over the years, Tripathi has earned widespread recognition for his roles in projects such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Stree, Mirzapur, Criminal Justice, and several other critically acclaimed films and web series.

The recent attack on his brother Vijaynath Tiwari comes after another tragedy struck the family in 2024. In April that year, Tripathi’s brother-in-law, Rakesh Tiwari, lost his life in a road accident in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district, while the actor’s sister, Sabita Tiwari, suffered a leg fracture in the same incident.

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.

Professional Expertise & Credentials

An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.

Specialized Beats

Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues:

Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact.

Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors.

Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues.

Personal Interests & Digital Literacy

Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Tags:

Pankaj Tripathi