SIT to be formed in three days, probe to be completed in four months
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana Court today hands over the probe of assaut on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son by Punjab Police officials on March 14 at Patiala. The wife of Col Bath had approached the High Court for ordering probe by CBI. The family had rejected the SIT formed by Punjab Police.
The High Court has asked the Chandigarh Police to form a new SIT within three days and complete the probe within four months. No police officer from Punjab (on deputation) shall be part of SIT, the court said.
The court when took up the hearing of the petition today asked the Punjab Government to give consent for shifting of probe to Chandigarh Police which was accepted by the state attorney and also be the family of Col Bath.
Jaswinder Kaur wife of Col Bath who had met the CM Bhagwant Mann on March 31 had expressed displeasure that CM had given them assurance to order CBI probe but he failed to take any action on their petition. On the day of meeting with CM, the wife of Col Bath had expressed satisfaction over assurance by the CM but later she realised that it was false promise.
The Punjab Police SIT formed under ADGP A.S.Rai had started probe against the Police Inspectors who assaulted Col Bath and his son. Their statements were recorded yesterday. But the SIT has now become defunct after inquiry was shifted to Chandigarh Police.
Col Bath and his son Angad Singh were assaulted by police officials at a Dhaba in Patiala on March 14, 2025. Bath was dragged by policemen and his son was beaten with baseball bats. Army officer was left with a fractured arm, while his son suffered head injuries. Police had initially refused to lodge FIR but a FIR was registered on the statement of Dhaba owner instead of complaint made by Col Bath. After hue and cry, the SSP Nanak Singh suspended the 12 policemen even as family of Col Bath alleged SSP was not serious to take action against policemen involved in the assault.
Finally after intervention of top army brass, a new FIR was lodged on March 21, 2025 in Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala on the statement of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath. Police Inspectors Ronnie Singh, Harjinder Singh, Harry Boparai, and Shaminder Singh were named in the FIR. Despite a new FIR, Pushpinder Bath's wife sat on a Dharna against Patiala SSP Nanak Singh and demanded CBI probe into the case.