CBI Charges Four Punjab Police Officers in Colonel Assault Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally charged four inspectors of the Punjab Police in connection with the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son in Patiala, which occurred in March this year. This marks a notable development in the high-profile investigation.
Sources indicate that the chargesheet was filed in the Mohali CBI Court against Inspectors Harjinder Singh, Shaminder Singh, Harry Boparai, and Ronnie Singh. The charges brought against them include causing grievous hurt and wrongful restraint, as the case moves forward to trial.
The incident reportedly took place during the night of March 13–14 and stemmed from a minor parking dispute near a dhaba in Patiala. According to the complaint filed by Colonel Bath, a group of Punjab Police personnel in plain clothes, including the four inspectors, allegedly attacked him without provocation, despite him identifying himself as an Army officer.
As a result of the attack, Colonel Bath sustained a fractured arm or a dislocated elbow, and his son suffered head injuries. The family further claimed they were threatened with a "fake encounter," and that the colonel's identity card and mobile phone were confiscated, while the assault continued for an extended period. The release of CCTV footage of the incident subsequently led to public outrage.
The initial investigations conducted by Punjab Police and later by Chandigarh Police faced criticism for delays and perceived bias. The case initially involved an FIR against "unidentified persons" based on a complaint by the dhaba owner, while the FIR filed by Colonel Bath was delayed by eight days.
In response to protests by ex-servicemen, public pressure, and intervention by the Punjab Governor, the Punjab and Haryana High Court handed over the investigation to the CBI in July 2025, due to concerns of a "tainted investigation." The Supreme Court upheld this transfer order in August, allowing the CBI to carry out an independent probe.
Upon assuming control, the CBI registered two separate FIRs: one based on Colonel Bath's complaint, which included serious charges such as attempted murder, and another based on the dhaba owner's complaint. With the chargesheet submitted on December 24, the CBI concluded its investigation against the main suspects and commenced the prosecution process.
The Indian Army, which advocated for a speedy and transparent resolution, welcomed the progress in the legal proceedings. The case remains under close scrutiny as it addresses issues of accountability and the alleged abuse of police power.
The submission of the chargesheet propels the case into its next stage, providing hope to the family and the broader defense community that justice will be served through the legal system.
