Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 22 : Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the incident involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, who was allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala.
Cheema assured that swift action would be taken against the guilty parties involved in the assault.
"We have formed an SIT. Action will be taken against those who are guilty. We have transferred all the accused whose names came to light. So, nobody will be able to influence the investigation. Action will be taken against the guilty, we won't spare anyone," Cheema said, emphasizing that the state government was committed to ensuring justice.
The statement came as the incident stirred concerns over police misconduct, with demands for accountability from various quarters. The formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the transfer of the accused officers were seen as steps towards a transparent and unbiased investigation.
Jaswinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath said that she would continue her fight for justice.
"This is not a political issue. This is a fight by people. I would like to tell you one thing, I will fight for Punjab and get justice for everyone. There is no need for me to make a political party or organisation, I will fight and get justice for everyone...FIR has been lodged but I do not know anything about suspension order." she said
On Friday, an FIR was registered in Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala on the statement of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath as recorded on March 14 regarding an unfortunate incident of assault by police officials which occurred on the intervening night of March 13/14.
The statement of Colonel Bath named the police officials who assaulted him and also gave the roles attributed to each person in the assault.
A High Level Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by S.P.S. Parmar, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Law & Order, Punjab, and, including Sandeep Malik, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur and Manpreet Singh, PPS, Superintendent of Police, Rural, SAS Nagar was later constituted by the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab for conducting investigations in a fair and expeditious manner.
The SIT has been directed to conduct the investigation on day-to-day basis for collection of evidences and further legal proceedings, in order to ensure that the culprits are proceeded against as per law.
According to the release, the Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab was directed to provide adequate protection to the family of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath.