The wife of Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath broke down in tears on Friday as she demanded justice for her husband and son, who she alleged were victims of brutal assault by Punjab Police officials.
Speaking at a press conference in Patiala, accompanied by her son and a relative, Jasvinder Kaur Bath accused twelve police officers of beating her husband and son over a minor parking dispute. She called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case, citing a lack of trust in the local police and the need for an impartial investigation.
In a formal representation submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, Bath detailed the alleged ordeal her family faced at the hands of Punjab Police officers. She demanded the immediate registration of an FIR based on her husband’s first-hand complaint under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Additionally, she called for the identification of all 12 accused officers in the FIR and their immediate transfer out of Patiala to prevent interference in the investigation.
According to Bath, the incident occurred on the night of March 13-14 near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where Colonel Bath and his son had stopped at a roadside eatery (dhaba). While they were standing outside their car, eating, a group of police officers in civilian clothes approached them and demanded that the Colonel move his vehicle so they could park theirs.
When the Colonel objected to their rude tone, one of the officers allegedly punched him, and the situation quickly escalated as other officers joined in the physical assault.
The brutal attack left Colonel Bath with a broken arm, while his son suffered a deep cut on his head, causing heavy bleeding. Despite the seriousness of the injuries, Bath alleged that the Patiala police failed to take immediate action against the accused officers.
Also Read: Colonel, son thrashed by Patiala cops; 12 officers suspended
She further claimed that the 12 police officers involved in the assault were suspended only after intense pressure, but they were not formally named in the case, raising concerns over an attempted cover-up.
Bath also accused Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh of deliberately delaying justice and failing to act against the accused officers.
She alleged that her family repeatedly pleaded with SSP Singh to register the FIR, but he gave false assurances and refused to act decisively. Demanding accountability, she insisted that SSP Singh should also be transferred out of Patiala for failing to ensure a fair probe. When contacted for a statement, SSP Singh was unavailable for comment.
In an emotionally charged statement, Bath said that despite seven days of relentless efforts, she had been left running from pillar to post in search of justice. Breaking down several times during the press conference, she reminded the authorities that her husband serves in the Indian Army and is currently posted at Army Headquarters, New Delhi.
Displaying graphic photographs from the day of the alleged assault, she showed images of her husband with visible injuries and her son with a bleeding face, further strengthening her claims of excessive police force.
Bath also revealed that she had recorded a video call in which one of the police officers confessed to the assault, further proving the seriousness of the incident.
She emphasised that the Punjab Police’s handling of the case had been biased, as the FIR was filed based on the dhaba owner’s statement instead of her husband’s complaint, which she saw as an attempt to manipulate the narrative.
On Thursday, the Colonel’s family met with Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, urging him to intervene and push for a CBI probe. They also rejected the Punjab government's decision to have an executive magistrate investigate the case, arguing that such an inquiry would lack transparency and independence.
Following their meeting, Bath stated that the Governor had assured them that it was their right to have the FIR registered based on Colonel Bath’s own statement. She also claimed that the Governor had personally spoken to the Punjab DGP about the matter.
Bath asserted that she was not seeking preferential treatment, but only fair and legal proceedings. She even stated that if her husband and son were found guilty, they should also be held accountable, reinforcing her demand for a neutral investigation.
The Punjab Police officially suspended 12 officers on Monday and initiated departmental inquiries against them. However, Bath and her family remain adamant that only a CBI investigation can ensure a fair and unbiased probe into the assault.
Also Read: Punjab orders probe into police assault on Army officer
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