The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday resumed hearings in the assault case involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, as the Punjab Government submitted its response.
However, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the reply provided by Patiala SSP, criticising it for lacking clarity on the role of police personnel involved in the incident. The court noted that the SSP’s response merely stated that the CCTV footage was inconclusive in identifying individuals, without addressing critical aspects of the case.
The High Court raised concerns over the SSP’s failure to respond to a message sent by Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath’s wife on the morning following the attack. Despite direct questioning from the court, no justification was provided for this inaction.
Further scrutiny was placed on the delay in filing the FIR, which was registered only eight days after the incident. The court remarked that such a delay cast doubts on the credibility and seriousness of the ongoing investigation.
Senior Advocate RS Rai, representing the Punjab Government, urged the court to trust the administration’s commitment to a fair probe. The government attributed the delay in filing the FIR to the ongoing farmers’ protests at the time, which had significantly occupied police resources.
However, the High Court questioned whether all FIRs were halted during this period and criticised the lack of a clear response from the authorities on this matter.
The court further pointed out that the SSP’s reply failed to specify the timeline of complaints received and did not provide a valid reason for the delayed police action.
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It also questioned whether mere suspensions of accused officers were sufficient in an attempted murder case or if arrests were warranted.
In defense, the Punjab Government stated that a joint press conference had been held three days earlier by Punjab DGP and senior Army officials, in which assurances were given regarding strict action and an impartial investigation.
The government requested an additional ten days to demonstrate visible progress in the probe.
Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath’s legal counsel argued that since police officials were among the accused, an independent agency such as the CBI should take over the investigation.
They contended that such a move would restore public trust and ensure accountability, especially considering the possibility that senior police officers’ negligence contributed to the mishandling of the case.
The High Court raised another critical issue, questioning why the initial FIR was based on the complaint of a dhaba owner rather than the actual victims—Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son.
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The petitioner’s counsel reiterated that a CBI investigation was necessary, asserting that several senior police officials were allegedly involved.
They further argued that given the threats of an encounter allegedly made by police personnel against the Colonel and his son, expecting a fair probe from Punjab Police would be unreasonable.
The court also sought clarification regarding the role of the police officers present at the scene. It directed the Punjab Government to disclose their assignments on the night of the incident, whether they were in uniform, and the exact reasons for their presence.
These were deemed serious concerns, and the court demanded clear answers from the government.
In response, the government’s counsel sought additional time, stating that a proper response could only be formulated after reviewing the duty register of the officers involved.
Additionally, the High Court questioned how many FIRs were registered during the period when the police claimed to be on high alert due to protests. It asked for a detailed explanation of what duties the officers on the scene were assigned and why they were there.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court adjourned the proceedings until Thursday, directing the Punjab Government to provide a comprehensive response addressing all concerns raised.
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