On March 14, 2025, a senior Indian Army officer and his son have accused three Punjab Police officials of subjecting them to a vicious 45-minute assault with baseball bats, sticks, and rods in Patiala, leaving both with severe injuries, as reported by India Today. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over car parking, has sparked outrage and calls for swift action against the accused officers.
The officer, Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at Army Headquarters in New Delhi, and his son were allegedly attacked in the early hours of March 14. According to the family, the altercation began when three plainclothes police inspectors approached them outside their vehicle, where they were having food, and demanded that the colonel move his car to accommodate their own parking needs. When Colonel Bath objected to the officers’ tone, the situation escalated rapidly.
“They asked us to remove our car, and when my father objected to their language, one of them punched him,” the Colonel’s son recounted. “When I tried to step in, they attacked me too. They beat us with sticks, rods, and baseball bats for nearly 45 minutes.” The assault left Colonel Bath with a fractured arm and his son with a deep cut on his head, requiring immediate medical attention. Both are currently undergoing treatment at Rajendra Hospital in Patiala.
The officer’s wife, visibly distraught, spoke to the media about the ordeal. “My husband identified himself as an Army officer, but they didn’t listen. They thrashed him and my son mercilessly. We’ve even received threat calls since the incident,” she alleged, breaking down as she described the brutality inflicted on her family.
The family claims the attack occurred without provocation beyond the initial objection, and that the police continued their assault despite pleas for mercy. The use of baseball bats and sharp weapons has raised serious questions about the conduct of the involved officers, identified as inspectors from the Patiala Police.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from military veterans and the public alike. Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (Retd.), former Chinar Corps Commander, condemned the assault as “atrocious and disgusting,” urging Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Director General of Police to take immediate action. “This is unacceptable behavior towards a serving officer of the Indian Army and his son,” he stated.
Punjab Police authorities have initiated the investigation. The family has lodged a formal complaint, demanding strict punishment for the officers involved and protection from further threats.
Patiala SSP Dr. Nanak Singh has suspended 12 police personnel over the assault on Indian Army officer Colonel Batth and his son at Rajindra Hospital. A departmental inquiry has been ordered against all suspended officers and is to be completed within 45 days. The case was initially registered based on the dhaba owner’s statement, and a thorough investigation is underway. SSP stated, ‘We apologize for the incident involving the Army officer and extend our full respect to him.
As of now, the Colonel and his son remain hospitalized, with doctors monitoring their condition. The incident has reignited debates over police accountability and the treatment of armed forces personnel in civilian settings, with many calling for a thorough probe and exemplary action to prevent such occurrences in the future.
