The police registered a new FIR on Friday regarding the assault of an Army Colonel and his son, forming a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the March 13 incident. The FIR was based on a complaint by Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, recorded a day after the assault. Previously, a case had been lodged based on his wife's complaint, which did not name the accused. In his statement, the Colonel identified the police officials involved in the attack. Allegedly, 12 police personnel assaulted the Army officer over a parking dispute.

The SIT, constituted by the state police, will be led by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) SPS Parmar. The team also includes Senior Superintendent of Police (Hoshiarpur) Sandeep Malik and Superintendent of Police (SAS Nagar Rural) Manpreet Singh. They have been instructed to conduct the probe on a daily basis.

A Punjab Police spokesperson stated that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Patiala Range had been directed to transfer the accused officers out of Patiala to ensure a fair investigation. All accused officers have been suspended, and departmental proceedings for major disciplinary action have been initiated. Additionally, the Additional Director General of Police (Security) has been instructed to provide adequate protection to Colonel Bath’s family.

Family Demands CBI Inquiry: Colonel Bath’s wife, Jaswinder Kaur Bath, released a video in which four police inspectors admitted to the assault and sought forgiveness. Speaking to the media, she accused Punjab Police officials of intimidation and attempts to cover up the incident. She demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, alleging that despite their apologies in the presence of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the officers resorted to threats when she refused to compromise following the brutal attack on her husband and son.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Tribune India.