HC Transfers Probe Into Assault on Army Colonel to Chandigarh Police, Orders Completion in 4 Months

Navneet Kaur

1 day ago

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has handed over the investigation of the case of Punjab Police assaulting Army Colonel Pushpinder Baath in Patiala to the Chandigarh Police. This investigation has to be completed in 4 months. A new investigation team will be formed in 3 days, in which no officer of Punjab Police will be included. However, Punjab Police will have to give full cooperation in the investigation.

In this case, Punjab Police had formed an SIT, which had collected evidence and recorded statements, but the High Court rejected the argument of Punjab Police. This petition was filed by Colonel Bath for a CBI inquiry.

Meanwhile, the Colonel’s wife Jaswinder Kaur Bath caught a man. She says that he was tracking them. He was sending minute-to-minute information of their movements and photos to someone via WhatsApp. After this, he was handed over to the police.

Jaswinder Kaur Bath says that she is happy with today’s judgment. She said – If I do not get justice in 4 months, we will go to the Supreme Court. As far as security is concerned, I am going to get cameras installed on the front and back of the vehicles, because these people can do anything. They can even cause accidents. Governor’s rule should be imposed in Punjab. The situation in the state is very bad.

Let us tell you that an Army Colonel was assaulted on the night of 13-14 March in Patiala. The police did not take any action then. After this, when the matter reached the Defense Ministry and Army Headquarters, the police filed a by name FIR 9 days later and suspended 12 policemen. This includes 5 inspectors as well. 21 days have passed since this incident, but the Punjab Police is trying to save its own accused employees.

The case has also led to tensions between the Army and Punjab Police. Reports indicate that angry army personnel challenged the Patiala SSP to accompany them to Kupwara for an encounter. The situation escalated to the point where Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav had to step in, urging that the case not be turned into an “Army versus Punjab Police” issue while assuring strict action against those responsible