Punjab and Haryana High Court transfers colonel assault case to CBI, slams police

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday transferred the Colonel Pushpinder Bath attack case to the CBI. Colonel Bath family filed a petition on 12th of July seeking court intervention over the investigation with a demand to transfer the investigation to CBI.

The High Court, by bench of Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj, questioned the intent behind the poor investigation and showed dissatisfaction with the SIT headed by Chandigarh Police’s Manjit Sheron, and after hearing the matter transferred the case to the CBI, as court observed accused are being protected by the SIT, detailed orders awaited.

The Colonel Bath family has expressed relief and gratitude after the Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred their case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following what they termed a failed four-month investigation by the Chandigarh Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Punjab Police officials.

Colonel wife Jaswinder Kaur Bath while talking to India Today said, “Punjab Police tried to hush up the matter. We were hopeful the Chandigarh Police would deliver justice, but instead, they went a step further and revoked Section 307 from the FIR.”

Gurtej Dhillon and Ritu Bath (Jaswinder Bath) alleged that Punjab Police officials staged a fake encounter during the day and assaulted Colonel Pushpender Bath the same evening. They said the revocation of IPC Section 307 by the SIT was one of many moves that raised concerns about the probe’s integrity. The family has demanded departmental inquiries against officers such as Nanak Singh and Manjit Sheron for negligence. The SIT did not even record our statements, they were under pressure or helping Punjab Police.

They further alleged a Rs 10 crore bribe offer to withdraw the case, claiming that Punjab government officials protected the accused police officers. The family also urged the CBI to investigate the alleged fake encounter of NRI Jaspreet Singh, who was reportedly killed by the same four inspectors.

In March, Colonel Bath alleged that 12 Punjab Police personnel assaulted him and his son during a parking dispute outside a dhaba in Patiala. According to him, four inspectors and their armed subordinates attacked them without provocation, seized his ID card and phone, and threatened a “fake encounter.” CCTV footage captured the incident, which left the Colonel with a fractured arm and his son with a head injury.

The FIR in the case was registered only a week after the attack, following a meeting with the Punjab Governor. The FIR named Inspector Ronnie Singh, Inspector Harjinder Dhillon, Inspector Harry Boparai, and Inspector Shaminder Singh. All four were suspended and transferred out of Patiala district for investigation.

However, nearly four months later, the accused remains a fugitive. Despite multiple raids by both Punjab and Chandigarh Police, they have not been located.

The departmental enquiry, initially promised to be completed within 45 days by then-SSP Patiala Nanak Singh, remains pending.

Cabinet Minister Harpal Cheema on Colonel Bath case going to the CBI, said, “Earlier when the incident happened, the Punjab police registered a case, but later the case was transferred to Chandigarh police as the family was not happy with the probe. Now if they were not satisfied with Chandigarh police, the court has given it to the CBI. I feel definitely an investigation should take place. We will comment in detail once the order comes.”

Reacting to the case, retired IPS officer Gurinder Dhillon posted on X (formerly Twitter), “It means the Honourable Court found compelling circumstances to review its order. What a milestone and perfect decision. This shows that deep state forces can operate across state boundaries. It appears to me that the case was not handled professionally, even after the intervention of the state’s highest court. I am very sure the CBI will ensure that due process of law is followed, and a fair investigation is conducted.”

Retired Lt. General K.J.S. Dhillon also welcomed the development, stating, “Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred the case to CBI—hopefully justice will now be delivered. Jai Hind.”

Interestingly, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is also hearing another plea involving three of the same police inspectors, namely Harjinder Dhillon, Harry Boparai and Shaminder Singh, filed by Baljit Kaur and Lakhwinder Singh, the parents of 22-year-old Jaspreet Singh, who was killed in an alleged police encounter on March 13 in Mandaur village, Patiala.

The family alleges the encounter was staged and has demanded a time-bound, judicially monitored CBI probe. Jaspreet, a Canadian resident, had returned to India to surprise his family when he was implicated in the kidnapping of a seven-year-old boy in Ludhiana on March 12.

Police claimed Jaspreet fired at them, prompting retaliatory fire. However, his family cited a post-mortem report showing seven bullet wounds, including three at point-blank range, suggesting an execution-style killing. Villagers reportedly witnessed Jaspreet surrender, and the presence of a pre-arranged ambulance raised further suspicion.

The police also claimed that a constable and two Home Guard jawans were injured during the exchange. In response, the DGP announced a Rs 10 lakh reward and promotions for the officers involved, with the DIG Patiala also publicly praising them.

However, with the Colonel Pushpender Bath case now transferred to the CBI, the alleged daytime encounter involving the same inspectors is also under renewed scrutiny.

- Ends