Chandigarh, March 25 (NationPress) The Punjab and Haryana High Court raised concerns regarding the actions of Punjab Police in a reported assault case involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son, questioning the seven-day delay in filing a first information report (FIR).

Justice Sandeep Moudgil inquired, "Why was the FIR not filed promptly upon learning of the incident? What accounts for this delay? Please explain."

This inquiry occurred as the court reviewed a petition submitted by Colonel Bath, who is seeking to transfer the FIR, dated March 22, filed at the Civil Lines Police Station in Patiala, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent authority to guarantee a thorough, impartial investigation.

The Colonel, stationed at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, claims he was assaulted on the night of March 13 while visiting a roadside eatery close to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.

Twelve police personnel, including three inspectors, faced suspension, and an internal inquiry was initiated last week following a confrontation during which they reportedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted” both the Colonel and his son.

Four days post-incident, the police extended an apology to the Army official, promising “strict measures against the negligent officers.”

Justice Moudgil questioned why the initial case was registered based on the complaint from the dhaba owner when the victims' medical report was readily available. He granted the state government two days to clarify who was responsible for delaying the criminal case's registration.

During the proceedings, Colonel Bath’s attorney presented videos to the bench, including one showing officers allegedly acknowledging their wrongdoing and apologizing to Jaswinder Kaur, the Colonel’s wife. The petitioner claims that pressure was exerted on his wife to settle the matter and further alleged that some officers confessed during a video call to his wife that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.