Col Bath Assault Case: In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has handed over the investigation of the brutal assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath to the Chandigarh Police, firmly excluding the Punjab Police from the inquiry. The decision came in response to Col Bath’s petition seeking an independent investigation, citing bias and inaction by the Punjab Police.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, delivering the verdict on Thursday, made it clear that no officer from the Punjab Police cadre would be involved in the probe. The court had earlier questioned the State of Punjab on whether it would accept an investigation led by the Chandigarh DGP, the CBI, or a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Senior Advocate Randeep Singh Rai represented the Punjab government in court.
The case was initially presented before Justice Sandeep Moudgil’s Bench, which had raised serious concerns over the Punjab Police’s handling of the matter. The Bench had pointed out the non-arrest of the accused officers despite an attempt to murder case being registered against them.
A Shocking Assault and a Delayed Response
The incident, which has sent shockwaves across Punjab, took place on the night of March 13-14 in Patiala. Col Bath, who serves in a sensitive post under the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India, alleged that he and his son were brutally attacked by four Inspector-rank Punjab Police officers and their armed subordinates.
According to the petition, the officers snatched Col Bath’s official ID card and mobile phone, issued threats of fake encounters, and carried out the assault in full public view—actions that were captured on CCTV. Despite the gravity of the attack, the local police reportedly failed to take immediate action. Instead of registering an FIR based on Col Bath’s complaint, the police initially lodged a bogus FIR under ‘affray’ against unknown persons based on a third-party report.
It was only after persistent efforts, including appeals to senior police officials and even the Governor of Punjab, that a proper FIR was registered—eight days after the attack.
Court Slams Punjab Police’s Inaction
The High Court was particularly critical of the Punjab Police’s handling of the case. Justice Moudgil’s Bench had earlier questioned whether suspending the accused officers and transferring four Inspectors out of Patiala was sufficient action. The Bench had remarked that while suspension is an administrative measure under service rules, it does not equate to actual legal consequences for a crime of this magnitude. The court also noted that despite an FIR being lodged, no significant progress had been made in the investigation, even by the SIT.
A Victory for Justice?
Col Bath’s case has highlighted serious concerns regarding police accountability and justice for victims of police brutality. With the investigation now in the hands of the Chandigarh Police, there is renewed hope that a fair and unbiased probe will take place.
For now, all eyes are on how the Chandigarh Police proceeds with the case, and whether justice will finally be served for Col Bath and his family.
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