Patiala SSP to ‘look after work of DIG Patiala Range’,

Kuldeep Singh Chahal, who was removed as Commissioner of Ludhiana Police in March, has also been given a new assignment after more than a month. He has been posted as Deputy Inspector General (Technical Services). Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) NRI Affairs Praveen Kumar Sinha, who was holding additional charge of the Intelligence Branch as well as Chief Director (Vigilance), has now been given permanent charge of these two departments, and R K Jaiswal has been appointed as ADGP NRI Affairs.

Nanak Singh, an IPS officer of the 2011 batch, replaced Mandeep Singh Sidhu, who retired from service on April 30. The family of Colonel Bath had been demanding for long that Nanak Singh should be transferred from Patiala for his alleged partisan role in protecting the policemen accused of having attacked the Army officer and his son.

While the policemen were suspended following huge public uproar and a strong stance taken by Jaswinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Bath, Nanak Singh continued to function as SSP Patiala. A Chandigarh Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now investigating the attack on Colonel Bath following the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Jaswinder Kaur said it was shameful that an officer who failed to act in a case of assault on a serving Army officer and his son has now been virtually promoted. “He faces allegations of a fake encounter, which has been carried out by three of the Inspectors who attacked Colonel Bath and my son and now as DIG Patiala he will be able to manage the investigation into both these cases. This shows what kind of justice can be expected in Punjab,” she said.
Colonel Bath and his son Angad were allegedly assaulted by 12 Punjab Police personnel, including four inspector-rank officers, in Patiala on the night of March 13-14.

The attackers allegedly used baseball bats and sharp weapons, resulting in significant injuries, including a broken arm for Colonel Bath and a head injury for his son. Colonel Bath claimed the assailants snatched his ID card and mobile phone, threatened a “fake encounter,” and acted without provocation under CCTV coverage.
Four inspectors, including Ronnie Singh, Harjinder Dhillon, and Harry Boparai, were suspended, and departmental proceedings were initiated. A fresh FIR was filed based on Colonel Bath’s statement, but the family alleges delays in arrests and FIR registration.

Jaswinder Kaur has been demanding a CBI probe for impartiality, alleging inaction by the Punjab Police, and expressing distrust in the state government despite assurances from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.