Patiala: 3 probes, no headway in Colonel assault case

Eleven days after 12 policemen allegedly assaulted Colonel Pushpinder Bath and his son in Patiala, three probes marked in the past one week are yet to “move ahead”.

Sources said different probes had failed to make any headway and establish the happenings of March 13.

“The statements of Colonel Pushpinder Bath and Angad Bath have not been recorded. We want nothing short of a CBI probe and will now wait for our meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Stern action must be taken against the police officials involved in the incident,” said Jaswinder Kaur, wife of Colonel Bath.

While the Patiala police had ordered a departmental inquiry to deep dive into the allegations against 12 policemen, the Home Department had deputed an IAS officer to conduct probe and submit his report within 21 days. Later, the state government formed a SIT under an Additional DGP-rank officer after registration of a fresh FIR on the statement of Colonel Bath. On March 17, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh suspended 12 police personnel, including three inspectors, and ordered a departmental probe against them following a brawl in which they allegedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted” the Colonel and his son.

The SSP had assured that probe would be completed within 45 days. SP (Headquarters) Harwant Kaur said the accused policemen had been issued show-cause notices and statements of all concerned would be recorded soon. On March 20, the Punjab Government initiated a time-bound probe by an IAS officer to be completed within 21 days. The Administrative Secretary, Home Affairs, ordered an investigation, to be completed within three weeks, led by IAS officer Paramvir Singh. “We have issued summons to the concerned and will record their statements soon,” pointed out Paramvir.

As Jaswinder announced to organise dharna demanding a CBI probe into the incident, the state government ordered a SIT-level probe on March 21 and registered a fresh FIR. The Patiala police booked three Inspectors under Sections 109, 310, 155(2), 117(2), 126(2) and 351(2) of the BNS. The name of the fourth Inspector was also added to the FIR under Sections 299 and 191 of the BNS.

The SIT comprises ADGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar, Hoshiarpur SSP Sandeep Malik and Mohali (Rural) SP Manpreet Singh.

Sources said the SIT would visit Patiala within a couple of days to collect evidence.

HC to hear petition today

Colonel Pushpinder Bath’s petition will come up for hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday

Colonel Bath has sought the investigation to be transferred to the CBI or another independent agency

Family decides to lift dharna

Family members of Colonel Pushpinder Bath have decided to lift the dharna outside the District Administrative Complex after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann agreed to meet them on March 31