'Colonel robbed of mobile & ID card; should NIA investigate?': Army veteran on Patiala assault

Former Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General (retd) KJS Dhillon on Thursday questioned why the Indian Army Colonel was robbed of his mobile and identity card when he was allegedly thrashed by 12 Punjab Police personnel in Patiala.

“12 @PunjabPoliceInd beat Colonel & Son -Didn’t rob car or money. -Robbed Colonel’s I-Card & Mobile - Why? Offr posted in highly secret org. I-Card can get access anywhere.  Can Enemy agency’s hand ruled out? Why such specific robbery? Should NIA investigate? @HMOIndia@adgpi,” Dhillon posted on X.

The recent attack on an Indian Army Colonel and his son by three Punjab Police inspectors and nine other personnel in Patiala over a parking dispute had evoked public out rage. The incident occurred on March 13 outside a roadside eatery. It was also caught on CCTV.

The argument reportedly began when the police personnel, in civilian clothes, asked Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army Headquarters in Delhi, to move his vehicle. The matter escalated when the officer objected to their tone. The police personnel then allegedly kicked and punched Colonel Bath.

The Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP)  on Monday suspended 12 police personnel between the ranks of inspector and constable for assaulting a serving Army officer and his son on the intervening night of March 13 and 14. However, the affected family, fighting a battle to get accused cops named in the FIR and to make their names public.