The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the conduct of Punjab Police officers accused of assaulting an Army Colonel, reinforcing the importance of respecting those who serve the nation. The court dismissed a plea by the accused officers against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that directed a probe into the matter by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The incident in question occurred on the night of March 13-14, 2025, when Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son were reportedly assaulted by Punjab Police officers at a roadside eatery in Patiala. Colonel Bath accused 12 Punjab Police personnel, including four inspectors and their subordinates, of attacking him and his son without provocation, further alleging that they snatched his ID card and cell phone and threatened him with a "fake encounter". He stated that the attack occurred in public view and was captured on CCTV cameras.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma, expressed their dismay, stating that army personnel protect the country even in harsh conditions. They questioned the delay in arresting the accused officers, even after their request for anticipatory bail had been rejected. Justice Sharma stated that such lawlessness is unacceptable. The court also pointed out the contradiction of glorifying army officers during wartime but failing to respect them otherwise.

Initially, an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala on March 22, several days after the incident, and reportedly after intervention from the Governor of Punjab. However, Colonel Bath alleged that another FIR had already been registered on March 15 based on a statement by the dhaba owner, possibly to undermine his complaint. On April 3, the High Court transferred the investigation to the Chandigarh Police.

Colonel Bath sought an independent agency, preferably the CBI, to investigate the case. He contended that the Chandigarh Police "failed" to conduct a free and fair investigation. Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, representing Colonel Bath, argued that the Chandigarh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) had not made any arrests or initiated legal proceedings against the accused, indicating a "conscious effort" to shield them. The Supreme Court echoed these concerns, leading to the decision to allow the CBI to take over the investigation.

Justice Anoop Chitkara of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously noted the high-handedness, cruelty, arrogance, and lack of empathy displayed by the police team. He emphasized that the police officers continued their actions even after being informed of the victim's identity as a Colonel in the Indian Army.