In a shocking incident in Patiala district, an Indian Army officer of colonel rank and his son were allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel over a parking dispute.

The victim has been identified as Colonel Pushpinder Bath, who is currently stationed at the Indian Army Headquarters in New Delhi. The altercation took place on March 13 outside a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala and was captured on CCTV. The footage has since gone viral on social media.

Disgraceful behavior by @PunjabPoliceInd!
A serving Army Colonel was brutally assaulted by Patiala Police officers, yet no proper action has been taken despite CCTV evidence. pic.twitter.com/UIsuXAgm5a
— Balbir Singh Sidhu (@BalbirSinghMLA) March 17, 2025

What happened?

The conflict reportedly began when police personnel, dressed in civilian clothes, asked Colonel Bath to move his vehicle. A verbal exchange ensued, which quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. The officers allegedly punched and kicked the colonel and his son before attacking them with baseball bats.

Both victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Conflicting claims

According to The Tribune, the police involved were on their way to the hospital after an encounter with kidnappers, during which a seven-year-old child was rescued and an accused was shot dead.

One of the policemen accused of the assault alleged that the colonel and his son were intoxicated and initiated the violence. “They were inebriated and attacked us,” he claimed.

Family’s statement

At a press conference in Patiala, Colonel Bath’s wife, Jaswinder Bath, recounted her version of the incident. She stated that while the family was eating outside their car and eating their food, police personnel asked her husband to move his vehicle to make space for theirs.

“When my husband objected to their language, one of them punched him. Later, all the police personnel thrashed my husband and my son, leaving them injured,” she alleged.

Patiala: Colonel & son ‘assaulted’ over car parking, 12 police officers including 3 inspectors suspended; probe underway

"We will probe the matter in detail and justice will be done. We will not spare anyone," said Patiala SSP Nanak Singh#Punjab #Patiala pic.twitter.com/EJ9A9wAcQE
— Ishani K (@IshaniKrishnaa) March 17, 2025

Police Response

Following the incident, an FIR was registered based on a statement from a dhaba owner, and an investigation is currently underway.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Patiala Dr. Nanak Singh confirmed that 12 police personnel have been suspended in connection with the assault. A departmental inquiry has been ordered, which is expected to conclude within 45 days.

Expressing regret over the incident, the SSP apologized on behalf of Punjab Police, stating, "We will probe the matter in detail, and justice will be done. We will not spare anyone."