naveen-jindal-demands-cbi-probe-into-colonel-s-assault-case

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Naveen Jindal raised the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

 

"I raised this issue in the House. On 13 March, a Colonel was brutally beaten by 12 policemen in Punjab. This is unfortunate. A CBI inquiry should be ordered into the matter. Strict action should be taken against the culprits," Jindal said.

 

Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, a serving Indian Army officer, was allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel outside a dhaba in Patiala on the night of 13 March, leading to the registration of an FIR and a police inquiry.

 

The Western Command has confirmed that the officer is undergoing treatment and recovering from his injuries.

 

Speaking on the matter, Lt. Gen. Wadhwa, Chief of Staff, HQ Western Command, stated, "I am addressing you all about the unfortunate incident wherein Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath was assaulted by certain Punjab policemen outside a dhaba at Patiala."

 

The officer was initially taken to a civil hospital for treatment before being shifted to the military hospital. He later received further treatment at the Command Hospital in Chandimandir and is currently recuperating.

 

Lt. Gen. Wadhwa further noted that the Punjab Police had expressed regret over the "undesirable actions" of their personnel involved in the incident.

"They have identified the policemen involved and issued their immediate suspension as well as transfer out of Patiala," he added.

 

On 21 March, an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station based on a complaint lodged by Colonel Bath.

 

The investigation has been handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an Additional Director General of Police, with a directive to complete the probe at the earliest.

 

"An FIR based on the complaint lodged by Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath was registered at the Civil Lines police station... The probe is now being undertaken by the Special Investigation Team under an Additional Director General of Police to be completed in the earliest possible time frame," Lt. Gen. Wadhwa said.