The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday transferred the investigation into the alleged assault of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son by Punjab Police personnel to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the Chandigarh Police’s failure to deliver a fair probe. The incident occurred on the night of March 13-14, 2025, at Jaswant Dhaba in Patiala, triggered by a parking dispute.

Colonel Bath, a serving officer under the Cabinet Secretariat, alleged that 12 Punjab Police personnel, including inspectors Ronnie Singh, Harjinder Singh Dhillon, Happy Boparai, Rajvir Singh, and Constable Jai Singh, attacked him and his son Angad without provocation. The assailants reportedly beat Bath, causing a dislocated arm and elbow fracture, and fractured Angad’s nose, while snatching Bath’s ID and phone and threatening a “fake encounter” under CCTV surveillance.

Initially, Punjab Police delayed registering an FIR for eight days, filing a vague “affray” case. After Bath’s petition, the High Court reassigned the probe to Chandigarh Police on April 3, 2025, with a four-month deadline. However, no arrests were made, and key evidence, including CCTV footage, was allegedly ignored. On July 14, Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj reprimanded the Chandigarh Police for “deliberate inaction” and summoned SIT head SP Manjeet Sheoran. Following Bath’s plea for an independent probe, the court, under Justice Bhardwaj, transferred the case to the CBI on Wednesday, as confirmed by Bath’s counsel, Deepinder Singh Virk.

Also Read: Mumbai Police Nab Mephedrone Kingpin Deported from UAE

The petition highlighted Chandigarh Police’s failure to arrest or interrogate any accused despite three months of investigation. Bath, supported by his wife Jasvinder Kaur and ex-servicemen groups, argued that Punjab Police’s influence made a fair probe impossible. Social media posts on X have amplified calls for justice, with hashtags like #JusticeForColonelBath trending. The CBI is now tasked with ensuring an impartial investigation, with pressure mounting for accountability and swift action.

Also Read: Delhi Court Slaps ₹1 Crore Fine in Coal Scam