CHANDIGARH, Dec 25— The Central Bureau of Investigation has dropped the charge of attempt to murder while filing a chargesheet against four Punjab Police inspectors accused of assaulting Colonel Pushpinder Bath and his son in Patiala earlier this year.
According to the chargesheet filed in a Mohali court, the CBI has invoked sections related to grievous hurt, wrongful restraint and other allied offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Inspector Ronnie Singh has been identified as the principal accused.
“The nature of evidence supports charges of physical assault and illegal restraint,” said a source familiar with the investigation. “The section on attempt to murder was not sustained.”
The alleged assault took place on the night of March 13–14 near Rajindra Hospital, where Colonel Bath and his son had stopped at a roadside eatery. The family has claimed that police officers in civilian clothing approached them while they were eating near their parked car.
“They asked my father to move the vehicle, and within minutes the situation escalated,” a family member said earlier. “Soon, more men arrived and attacked us.”
The complaint states that the attackers used rods and sticks, causing injuries to both the colonel and his son. The incident triggered widespread criticism and raised questions about police conduct and accountability.
Initially, the Patiala Police registered an FIR against inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh and Harjinder Dhillon under multiple sections, including attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt. A fourth inspector was later named under additional provisions.
The investigation was transferred to the CBI amid mounting pressure for an impartial probe.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue as the court examines the chargesheet and decides on the next course of action.
