The North News
Chandigarh, March 21
The wife of a serving Indian Army officer has accused Punjab Police of brutally assaulting her husband and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident. Jasvinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Pushpinder Bath, alleged that police officers harassed and beat her husband “inhumanely.” Speaking at a press conference on Friday, she said: “My husband has fought for the country, and this is how he is treated? the SSP must be held accountable.”
She claimed she was pressured into accepting a compromise but refused, accusing the authorities of deliberately delaying justice. “I have realised the system is playing with me,” she said. During the press conference, the family presented video evidence of four Punjab Police inspectors accepting responsibility for the assault and apologising.
Despite the suspension of 12 police personnel, including three inspectors, none have been named in the First Information Report (FIR) nearly a week after the incident.
A medical report from Government Rajindra Hospital has also contradicted claims that Colonel Bath and his son had consumed alcohol before the altercation, refuting statements made by the eatery owner.
The alleged assault took place on the night of 13-14 March near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. According to the family, a parking dispute escalated into violence, leaving Colonel Bath and Gurtej Singh Dhillon injured.
The Punjab government has ordered a magisterial probe, appointing senior IAS officer Paramvir Singh, currently serving as Patiala Municipal Corporation Commissioner, to lead the inquiry. Singh has been granted special executive magistrate powers under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and is expected to submit his report within three weeks.
However, the family remains dissatisfied, arguing that only a CBI investigation will ensure justice. They have urged the public and media to support their demand, stressing that upholding the dignity of armed forces personnel is essential.
