The brutal assault on a serving Indian Army officer, Colonel Pushpinder Singh Baath, and his son by 12 Punjab Police personnel has sparked significant controversy, prompting the Indian Army to call for a thorough and timely investigation to ensure justice is served.
The incident occurred on the night of March 12-13 near Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. According to reports, the confrontation began when Colonel Baath was asked to move his personal vehicle for a police vehicle. When he objected to the aggressive tone used by the officers, he and his son were violently assaulted with baseball bats and sharp weapons.

The assault resulted in the Colonel suffering a broken arm, while his son incurred a severe head injury. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the police officers involved, including both inspectors and constables, were under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

In response to public outrage, a joint press conference was convened today in Chandigarh by Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, Chief of Staff of the Army’s Western Command Headquarters, and Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Lt Gen Wadhwa emphasized the necessity for a transparent and timely investigation to ensure the guilty parties face punishment and to restore public faith in the legal system. He remarked, “We reaffirm the demand for a fair and honest investigation to hold the wrongdoers accountable.”

Highlighting the long-standing cooperation between the Punjab Police and the Army, Lt Gen Wadhwa insisted that those responsible must face exemplary consequences. “The Indian Army is fully dedicated to bringing this case to a just resolution,” he stated.

Colonel Baath has requested that the investigation be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent agency, as he believes a fair probe is unlikely under the Punjab Police. In response, the Punjab Police have suspended all 12 involved personnel and initiated departmental proceedings for severe penalties.

Lt Gen Wadhwa revealed that the Army was notified about the assault on March 15 and escalated the issue to the highest levels of state administration and the Punjab Police for a prompt inquiry. DGP Gaurav Yadav addressed the media, stating that the Punjab Police holds the Indian Army in high esteem and is dedicated to maintaining the dignity of its officers. He assured, “Anyone who assaulted the serving Army officer will face severe action in accordance with the law.”

Following the incident, the Punjab Police have established a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior officer. An FIR was filed at the Civil Lines Police Station in Patiala on March 22, based on Colonel Baath’s statement, which directly named the officers involved in the assault. The SIT is mandated to conduct a swift and impartial investigation, gathering evidence daily to facilitate legal action against the perpetrators. DGP Yadav stated, “The SIT has been instructed to complete the investigation as promptly as possible.”

Lt Gen Wadhwa assured serving officers, veterans, and the public that all necessary measures are being taken to achieve justice for Colonel Baath. He also called for calm and restraint in the face of this incident. “I urge all parties to remain composed and not to succumb to the agendas of hostile elements,” he added.

The investigation is ongoing, with increasing public pressure demanding swift and robust action against those responsible.