12 Patiala cops suspended for thrashing Colonel, son

In a major embarrassment for the Patiala police, its 12 personnel, including three inspectors, were on Monday suspended and a departmental probe was ordered against them in connection with a brawl in which they allegedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted” a Colonel and his son. Four days after the incident, the Patiala police apologised to the Army and assured “strict action against the erring cops”.

Senior police officials said those suspended were inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh and Harjinder Dhillon, besides nine other cops and gunmen attached with the three. The development comes two days after the Patiala police registered an FIR against unidentified men for a brawl near Rajindra Hospital, after an Army officer was allegedly assaulted on March 13 night.

Patiala SSP Nanak Singh told The Tribune that 12 policemen had been suspended with immediate effect. He apologised for the incident saying the police had high regards for the Army. “We will not spare anyone. A fair investigation will be conducted and a probe report prepared within 45 days,” he said.

Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, alleged that he was assaulted on March 13 night. He and his son are under treatment at the Military Hospital after being attacked by policemen “posted in Patiala”.

“It was a brutal attack in which my father suffered a fracture in the left arm along with many other injuries inflicted with blunt weapons. I also suffered multiple injuries as over 10 cops pounced upon me after I tried to save my father from the accused,” alleged Angad Singh.

“One of the policemen said he was just back after an encounter in a kidnapping case. He threatened me with another encounter if the matter is pursued further,” he claimed.

Addressing a press conference in Patiala, Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, claimed her husband, along with their son, were present at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. She said while they were standing outside their car and having food, the cops reached there and asked the Colonel to remove his car as they had to park their car there.

“When my husband objected to their tone, one of them punched him. Later, the police personnel beat up my husband and son, leaving them severely injured,” alleged Jaswinder.

One of the suspended policemen, however, claimed that it was the Colonel and his son who attacked them first. “They were having drinks in the open. When confronted, they attacked us,” he said.

Dhaba owner Karan, who claims he was present at the spot, said the colonel and his son had ordered food and they started taking drinks with glasses kept on the car. “Two other vehicles arrived there later. Both factions were in civvies and they had a scuffle over the parked car,” he said.

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought a report.