The Colonel’s wife claimed that the police personnel attacked her husband and son with baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons in Patiala.

The Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) 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.

There had been widespread uproar among serving and retired defence fraternity after CCTV footage of the thrashing meted out to the Army officer and his son went viral on social media. Initially, the Patiala police appeared to be protecting its personnel as the FIR was registered against unknown persons even though the complainant had named three inspectors posted.

Addressing the media in Patiala on Monday, SSP Dr Nanak Singh said a departmental inquiry was ordered against all suspended officers and the probe would be completed within 45 days. “We apologise for the incident involving the Army officer and extend our full respect to him. We have the highest respect for Army personnel,” said SSP. He added that at the time of the incident, neither the Colonel nor the police personnel were in uniform.

Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Western Command and that of the 1 Armoured Division in Patiala are learnt to have taken up the issue of the attack on the Colonel with the Punjab government and police.

A statement issued by the Western Command HQs said, “There was an altercation and scuffle between an Army officer on leave in Patiala and policemen post midnight March 13- 14.

“Issue is being handled with due alacrity both at state government and Local level by the Command HQs and lower formations. FIR has been lodged. Strict action against errant policemen assured by Police authorities soonest along with a time-bound inquiry.”

“The officer was shifted to Military Hospital (MH) and all possible help is being extended. Local civilian administration and Police authorities have also met the officer in hospital to give necessary assurances.”

On the night of March 13-14, 2025, Colonel Pushpinder Singh Batth, a serving Indian Army officer currently posted at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, and his son were assaulted in Patiala, Punjab, over a car parking dispute. The incident occurred near a dhaba close to Rajindra Hospital.

According to Jaswinder Batth, the Colonel’s wife, the family was eating outside their car when several Punjab Police officers, including three identified as Inspectors Harjinder Dhillon, Harry Boparai, and Rauni Singh, demanded they move their vehicle to accommodate the police officials’ car. When the Colonel objected to their language, a physical altercation ensued.

Jaswinder Baath claimed that the officers and their team attacked her husband and son with baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons, resulting in severe injuries: the Colonel suffered a broken arm, and his son sustained a deep cut on his head. Both were hospitalised and are receiving treatment. She further alleged that despite repeated requests, the authorities delayed recording the victims’ statements, and no FIR was initially filed.