Army seeks fair probe into Col assault, DGP vows stern action

As the Army today sought exemplary and time-bound action against several Punjab Police personnel who allegedly assaulted an Army Colonel in Patiala on March 13, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the erring staff would be dealt with sternly.

Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath has accused 12 police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute on the intervening night of March 13-14.

Western Command Chief of Staff Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, at a jointing media briefing with DGP Yadav here, reiterated the need for a “fair and transparent investigation to punish the guilty and restore faith in the system”.

“The accused should be punished in a timely and exemplary manner so that the incident does not vitiate the atmosphere and affect the bonhomie between the civil administration and the serving and retired Army personnel,” Lt Gen Wadhwa said.

Posted at the Cabinet Secretariat in New Delhi, Colonel Bath is currently recuperating at the Command Hospital in Chandimandir. He has since lodged a police complaint, which was finally registered on March 22, and moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the transfer of the case to the CBI.

Lt Gen Wadhwa and DGP Yadav termed the incident as an “unfortunate aberration”, stressing it should not be viewed as an Army versus police confrontation. They said coordination between both organisations was vital for national interest.

Lt Gen Wadhwa said the Army was informed about the incident on March 15, following which the issue was “raised with the highest echelons of the Punjab administration and the police for prompt action”. “I would like to assure all that the Army remains fully committed to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

The DGP said any person who had assaulted the Army officer shall be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law. “The Punjab Police have the highest respect for the Army and is committed to upholding the dignity its officers. The police personnel accused in the case have been placed under suspension and departmental action for imposing major penalty has been initiated against them,” he said.

Both Lt Gen Wadhwa and DGP Yadav also cautioned against the incident being exploited by inimical elements to create mischief.