Colonel Bath assault case: Indian Army demands swift probe; Punjab Police say ‘anyone found guilty will face strict legal action’

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has called for a transparent and time-bound investigation into the alleged assault of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala.

Stressing the need for accountability, senior Army officials said those responsible should face strict legal action to maintain trust between the military and civil administration, according to the news agency PTI.

Following the incident, Colonel Bath has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, requesting that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent agency.

He argued that an impartial probe under the Punjab Police was unlikely.

The Army has vowed to pursue the case until justice is served. “A fair and honest investigation must be conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner to ensure the guilty are punished,” said Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, Chief of Staff, Army Western Command.

Punjab Police’s stand
Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav reaffirmed the force’s respect for the Army, assuring that those responsible would be held accountable. “Anyone found guilty of assaulting a serving Army officer will face strict legal action,” he said.

To ensure a thorough probe, Punjab Police has suspended 12 personnel and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a senior officer. The SIT has been instructed to expedite its investigation, according to ANI.

According to Col. Bath’s complaint, he and his son were attacked by Punjab Police officers outside a dhaba in Patiala on the night of March 13-14. The Army was informed the next day, and Col. Bath was transferred from a civil hospital to the Command Hospital in Chandimandir for further treatment.

On March 22, the Civil Lines police station in Patiala registered an FIR against the officers named in the complaint. The implicated personnel were immediately suspended and transferred out of Patiala.

Lt Gen Wadhwa further said that the Army had taken up the issue with Punjab’s top administration. “We have engaged at the highest levels to ensure prompt investigation and justice,” he said.

DGP Yadav urged the public not to view the case as an Army-versus-Police conflict. “The Army and Punjab Police remain united in their commitment to national security and justice,” he asserted.

The SIT will work on a daily basis to ensure the case is investigated efficiently, officials confirmed.