Punjab Police Commandos suspended for brutal assault on journalist in Batala

August 10, 2025

Batala, August 10: Departmental action has been initiated against the two Punjab Police commandos who brutally beat up Batala journalist Balwinder Kumar Bhalla in broad daylight in Batala, Punjab. Senior officials have written to the department for disciplinary action. Both the commandos are currently suspended.

This incident took place near a hotel on the evening of 1 August 2025. The 2 minute 16 second viral CCTV video clearly shows that a uniformed policeman and another in civil dress are continuously punching and kicking the journalist. In the attack, the journalist falls into a water-filled pit and becomes unconscious, after which the attackers leave the place and people nearby come to help.

According to sources, the dispute started when the journalist questioned the deployment of local police officers. It is alleged that angered by this, Sub-Inspector Mandeep Singh and Sub-Inspector Surjeet Singh, who were posted in Batala on temporary duty from the 5th Commando Battalion Bathinda of Punjab Police, attacked him.

The department came into action after the video went viral

As soon as the video went viral, the police department swung into action. Both the accused were immediately suspended and an FIR was registered on the statement of the victim on August 2. Now departmental disciplinary action has also been recommended by senior officials.

Batala SSP Suhail Qasim Mir and DSP City Sanjeev Kumar confirmed that the investigation into the case is underway and the culprits will not be spared.

Human rights organizations came forward

Human rights and journalist organizations have called this incident an attack on democracy and freedom of expression and have strongly condemned it. Currently Balwinder Kumar Bhalla is admitted in hospital in critical condition. Bathinda 5th Battalion Commandant Jatinder Singh said that as soon as a copy of the FIR is received, it will be sent to the main office for action.