In a fresh development in the Patiala assault case involving a serving Army officer and his son, Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath has sought immediate cancellation of the reinstatement of a suspended Punjab Police inspector. He has also objected to the officer’s recent posting in Mohali.
In his letter addressed to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), Colonel Bath expressed deep concern over reports that Inspector Harjinder Singh Dhillon’s suspension had been withdrawn. He also objected to Dhillon’s posting in Mohali under the Ropar Range, which is led by DIG Nanak Singh.
Colonel Bath, who lives in Patiala’s New Officers Colony and is at present posted with the Cabinet Secretariat in New Delhi, reiterated his allegation that DIG Nanak Singh — who was the Patiala SSP at the time of the incident — delayed the registration of the FIR and tried to shield the accused officers.
The Army officer said these developments could compromise the ongoing trial. He also stated that his family’s safety could be at risk if the accused officers are reinstated or posted nearby.
In his letter, Colonel Bath made specific requests. He asked that Inspector Dhillon remain suspended until the conclusion of the trial to prevent any possibility of influencing the proceedings or intimidating witnesses and family members.
He further requested that Dhillon not be posted under DIG Nanak Singh. He argued that such a posting could embolden the inspector and allow misuse of internal connections, especially as the case is being handled by the CBI in Mohali.
Colonel Bath also sought broader safeguards. He urged that none of the accused officers be posted near Patiala or Mohali. He further requested that they not be placed under the jurisdiction of DIG Nanak Singh, whom he accused of protecting the officers after what he described as a “shameful act.”
The letter highlights the family’s concerns about their security and calls for steps to ensure that the trial is fair and impartial. So far, neither the Punjab Police nor the DGP’s office has issued any public response to Colonel Bath’s representation.
The alleged assault took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, 2025. Colonel Bath and his son were reportedly attacked by a group of Punjab Police personnel in civilian clothes outside a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. The altercation is said to have begun over a parking dispute.
Colonel Bath was seriously injuries, including a fractured arm and facial trauma. His son also required medical treatment. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, leading to public outrage, protests by ex-servicemen and intervention by senior Army officials.
After initial delays in the registration of an FIR and strong criticism, including directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the case was shifted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Punjab Police had initially suspended 12 personnel, including Inspectors Harjinder Singh Dhillon, Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh and Shaminder Singh. In December 2025, the CBI filed a chargesheet before a special court in Mohali against four inspectors — Harjinder Singh Dhillon, Shaminder Singh, Harry Boparai and Ronnie Singh — naming them as the main accused. They were booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for offences, including voluntarily causing grievous hurt, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.
The CBI dropped the earlier attempt-to-murder charge. In its chargesheet, the agency also pointed to serious lapses in the Patiala police investigation, including missing CCTV footage and delay in action.
In January, a special CBI court summoned five Punjab Police personnel, including Constable Jai Singh, in connection with the case. The trial is scheduled to begin on March 16.
Also read: CBI chargesheet against 4 cops in Col Bath assault case
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