The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Punjab Police Inspector Ronnie Singh Salh, who is facing serious charges in connection with the violent assault of Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son in Patiala over 2 months ago.
Colonel Assaulted Over Parking Dispute
The incident occurred in March near a roadside eatery in Patiala. Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath alleged that a group of 12 Punjab Police personnel, including four inspectors and their armed subordinates, attacked him and his son following a disagreement over parking.
Despite identifying himself as a serving Army officer and showing his ID, Bath claimed the officers continued to assault him in full public view, under the watch of CCTV cameras.
The assault left Colonel Bath with a fractured arm, while his son suffered a head injury. Bath also alleged that the police took his ID card and phone and threatened him with a staged “fake encounter.”
Strong Words From The Bench
Justice Anoop Chitkara, in his detailed order, strongly criticized the police conduct. He described the actions of the officers as a “vile, uncivilised, pitiless and brutal” misuse of power.
“This horrific, gut-wrenching incident showcases the complete misuse of police power by these officers,” he wrote.
The judge emphasized that even if the vehicle was wrongly parked, the lawful response should have been a traffic fine, not violence.
“It is not the job of any trained law enforcer… to mete out unmerciful, furious beatings to a common man on the drop of a hat,” he added.
Problem Lies
Justice Chitkara highlighted the broader issue of public fear and mistrust towards the police, particularly among the poor and marginalized. He blamed incidents like this for perpetuating that fear.
He noted that the police force’s role should be defined by empathy, fairness, and accountability, not arrogance or unchecked aggression. “The primary duty of the police is not to create fear through force but to uphold the law with fairness and integrity,” he wrote.
Investigation
Following public outcry, a new FIR was registered based on Colonel Bath’s statement a week after the incident. Earlier in April, the High Court had directed the Chandigarh Police to investigate the case and complete the probe within four months. Bath had also requested that the case be handed over to an independent agency like the CBI.
Justice Chitkara also directed that the delay in filing the FIR be investigated by a senior officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police, noting the need for accountability within the force itself.
Court Finds No Grounds For Bail
Rejecting Salh’s bail plea, the court said the documents and facts presented clearly pointed to his involvement in the assault.
“The manner in which the complainant and his son were attacked simply for objecting to how their car was being moved points to the petitioner being one of the aggressors,” the court noted.
The judge concluded that granting bail would not be justified, given the gravity of the crime and its impact.
With bail denied, Inspector Salh now awaits the outcome of the criminal investigation and potential prosecution, while calls for an independent and transparent probe continue to grow.
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