Colonel Bath’s family to meet Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, seek CBI probe

A day after meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured them of “all possible assistance to get justice,” the family of Colonel Pushpinder Bath is likely to meet Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Monday at noon.

The CM, who is expected to attend an Eid-related event in Malerkotla, will meet the aggrieved family, who are demanding the transfer of Patiala SSP Nanak Singh and a CBI probe into the alleged brutal assault on Colonel Bath and his son, Angad Singh, on March 13.

The meeting was assured after the family, along with veteran army officials and social activists, staged an indefinite protest outside the district administrative complex in Patiala last week. On the third day of the dharna, the Patiala administration assured them of action, but the family remained adamant for a CBI probe.

“All we want is justice, which is not possible under the Patiala police, as Punjab police officers are determined to protect the 12 policemen involved in the attack on my husband,” claimed Jaswinder Kaur, Colonel Bath’s wife.

“Only an independent agency like the CBI can uncover the truth. If there is nothing to hide, the police should not fear a fair probe,” she added.

Following yesterday’s meeting with the Defence Minister, Kaur reiterated her distrust in the Patiala police and emphasised the need for an independent agency to handle the investigation.

Last week, the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned the state government over the delay in registering an FIR in the Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath assault case.