Chandigarh:
The Army on Tuesday called for a fair, honest, and transparent investigation to be conducted in a time-bound manner to ensure that the guilty in the Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath assault case are punished.
Colonel Bath accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute during the night of March 13-14 in Patiala. On Monday, he filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking the transfer of the investigation to the CBI or another independent agency.
"We reiterate the need for a fair and honest investigation in a transparent and time-bound manner to punish the guilty and restore faith in the system," said Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, Chief of Staff at the Army Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir, during a joint media briefing with Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav.
Lt Gen Wadhwa emphasized that the guilty police personnel should be punished in a timely and exemplary manner to prevent the incident from damaging the longstanding camaraderie between the Punjab Police and serving or retired Army personnel.
"I would like to assure everyone that the Indian Army remains fully committed to pursuing this case to its logical conclusion," he added.
DGP Yadav stated that the Punjab Police holds the Indian Army in the highest regard and is committed to maintaining the dignity of Army officers.
"Any person who has assaulted the serving Army officer will be dealt with severely according to the law. The investigation will be completed swiftly to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice," he said. Yadav also highlighted the steps taken by the Punjab Police, including the formation of a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior officer.
Colonel Bath, in his plea, alleged that a fair investigation was impossible under the Punjab Police and sought the transfer of the case to the CBI or another independent agency.
Last week, the Punjab Police registered a fresh FIR based on Colonel Bath’s statement. A high-level SIT was formed to conduct the investigation in a "fair and expeditious manner." All 12 accused personnel have been suspended, and departmental proceedings for major punishment have been initiated against them.
Colonel Bath stated in his petition that he and his son were "brutally" attacked on the night of March 13-14 in Patiala. Lt Gen Wadhwa confirmed that Colonel Bath, a serving officer, was assaulted by certain Punjab Police personnel outside a dhaba in Patiala.
The Army was informed about the incident on March 15. Colonel Bath was shifted from a civil hospital to a military hospital, where he underwent treatment at the Command Hospital in Chandimandir and is currently recovering from his injuries.
"The matter was strongly taken up with the highest levels of the state administration and Punjab Police for prompt investigation and delivery of justice," Wadhwa said.
The Punjab Police expressed regret for the actions of their personnel. They identified the involved officers, suspended them immediately, and transferred them. An FIR based on Colonel Bath’s complaint was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala on March 22 under relevant sections of the BNS.
The investigation is now being conducted by the SIT under the Additional Director General of Police and is expected to be completed as soon as possible.
Lt Gen Wadhwa stated that the Punjab Police, under the leadership of DGP Yadav, has reiterated its profound respect for the Indian Army and its personnel, emphasizing that such an incident is an undesirable aberration and contrary to the values they uphold.
"I assure the serving officers, esteemed veterans, and the public that all possible steps are being taken to ensure that Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath receives due justice. However, I urge everyone to remain calm and composed to avoid falling prey to the designs of inimical elements," he said.
DGP Yadav confirmed that an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala on March 22 based on Colonel Bath’s statement, which named the police officials involved. The SIT has been directed to expedite the investigation and proceed with evidence collection and legal proceedings to ensure the culprits are punished under the law.
The SIT has been instructed to conclude the investigation as soon as possible, Yadav added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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