High Court asks Punjab govt to explain delay in Army officer assault FIR

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday gave the Punjab government two days to explain, among other things, the delay in the registration of an FIR in the Army officer's assault matter.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil also issued a notice of motion to the CBI and the State on the Colonel's plea.

The Bench also asked the Punjab government to explain why it did not proceed with another complaint by a police official who claimed injuries.

Last week, 12 Patiala police personnel, including three inspectors, were 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.

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.

Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, claimed her husband, along with their son, were present at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. She said that 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 her husband objected to their tone, one of them punched him.

Later, the police personnel beat up her 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.