CBI Chargesheets Four Punjab Cops in Colonel Pushpinder Bath Assault Case, Drops Attempted Murder Charge

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet before a Mohali court against four Punjab Police personnel in the high-profile assault case involving Indian Army officer Colonel Pushpinder Bath, naming Inspector Ronnie Singh as the prime accused.

However, in a key development, the central agency has dropped the charge of attempted murder, instead invoking sections related to causing grievous hurt and wrongful restraint.

What does the CBI chargesheet say against the policemen?

According to the chargesheet, Inspector Ronnie Singh has been identified as the “principal accused” in the case, which stems from a violent incident that occurred on the intervening night of March 13 and 14 in Patiala.

Colonel Bath and his son were allegedly assaulted by a group of policemen in civilian clothes following a parking dispute near a roadside eatery.

What was Colonel Bath’s complaint?

As per the complaint, Colonel Bath and his son were standing beside their car when they were asked by a group of men to move their vehicle to make space for another car.

The argument reportedly escalated, after which more than a dozen police personnel allegedly assaulted the Army officer and his son using rods and sticks, leaving both injured. The family has maintained that the attackers later turned out to be serving Punjab Police personnel.

When was the FIR in the case registered?

An FIR was registered eight days after the incident on Colonel Bath’s complaint.

Initially, the Patiala Police booked inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh, and Harjinder Dhillon under sections related to attempted murder, causing hurt, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation. Another inspector was later added on charges of rioting and insulting a religion.

Why did Colonel Bath approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court?

Unhappy with the local police investigation, Colonel Bath approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which transferred the probe to the Chandigarh Police on April 3.

Alleging bias, the Colonel again moved the High Court on July 14, accusing the Chandigarh Police’s Special Investigation Team of shielding the accused officers.

When was the case handed over to the CBI?

On July 16, the High Court handed over the case to the CBI, strongly criticising the Chandigarh Police investigation as “tainted” and observing that there were “no prospects of a free and fair investigation.”

Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj remarked that the probe appeared designed to create loopholes that would weaken the prosecution’s case in court.

What is surprising about the cops’ behaviour?

Notably, about a week after the CBI takeover, the four accused policemen, who had been suspended, reported to new postings, despite earlier claims by police that they were “untraceable.”

Colonel Bath’s family criticised the move, alleging the officers resurfaced only to avoid being declared proclaimed offenders.