The Punjab Police has registered a fresh FIR and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by police officers in Patiala on March 13. The decision follows criticism over the handling of the case and allegations of shielding those involved.
The office of the Director General of Police (DGP) announced on Friday evening that an FIR was registered at Civil Lines Police Station, Patiala, based on Colonel Bath’s statement recorded on March 14.
The FIR names three police inspectors – Harjinder Dhillon, Ronnie Singh, and Harry Boparai-along with other unidentified persons. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Inspector Amritvir Singh, Station House Officer of Civil Lines, said, “We have registered a case on the complaint of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath.” According to the DGP’s office, Colonel Bath’s statement identifies the officers involved and details their roles in the assault.
A high-level SIT has been formed under Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S.P.S. Parmar. The team also includes Senior Superintendent of Police (Hoshiarpur) Sandeep Malik and Superintendent of Police (Rural, SAS Nagar) Manpreet Singh. The SIT has been directed to conduct a daily investigation, collect evidence, and proceed with legal action.
The DGP has instructed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Patiala Range, to transfer the officers named in the case out of the district to ensure an impartial investigation. Twelve police personnel, including the three inspectors, have been suspended, and departmental proceedings for major punishment have been initiated against them.
To ensure the safety of Colonel Bath’s family, the Punjab Police headquarters has directed the Additional Director General of Police, Security, to provide adequate protection.
Colonel Bath’s family has accused the police of inaction and claimed that senior officers ignored their pleas. His wife, Jaswinder Kaur, said, “My husband and son were beaten up by police officers in Patiala, but the police tried to cover it up by registering a case based on the complaint of a man from a roadside eatery where the incident took place.” She said she repeatedly approached authorities, but no action was taken.
The family met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to demand justice and announced a protest in Patiala on Saturday. Opposition parties raised the issue in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, calling for strict action against the police officers involved.
