The brutal assault on Col Batth by Punjab Police has exposed a troubling silence from the Indian Army. Veterans like Lt Gen KJS Dhillon have taken to X, calling for an NIA investigation.
Colonel Batth, currently posted at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, and his son Angad were allegedly attacked by three Punjab Police inspectors—Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh, and Harjinder Dhillon—and nine other personnel, using baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons. The incident was captured on CCTV, which went viral, leading to widespread outrage. On March 18, 2025, the Punjab Police suspended the 12 involved personnel, and a departmental inquiry was ordered, with assurances of justice from Patiala SSP Nanak Singh. However, the FIR did not name the accused, which has been a point of contention.
An Alarming information emerged from an X post by retired Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, who noted that the attackers robbed the Colonel’s ID card and mobile phone.
This raised concerns about potential security breaches, such as the ID card being digitally copied for unauthorized access and the mobile phone containing sensitive emails, contacts, and messages of ‘assets.’ This adds a layer of complexity, suggesting implications beyond the physical assault.
Indian Army’s Response and Leadership
The Indian Army’s Western Command addressed the recent incident as “unfortunate & avoidable” and senior leadership from both Western Command and Punjab Police promptly addressed the situation using established coordination mechanisms. The Army acknowledged the swift response by Punjab Police in managing the issue.
Despite these internal communications, the absence of a formal public condemnation or visible high-level intervention, such as direct engagement with state authorities, has drawn criticism. This perceived inaction, which deviates from historical precedents, has led to concerns about a potential leadership gap.
This highlights a perceived lack of action by the Indian Army and its Western Command, raising concerns about leadership, especially when compared to historical responses.
Historical Comparison: The 1992 Incident
To understand the current sentiment, it’s crucial to compare this to a similar incident in October 1992, when Lieutenant Colonel Ravi Vats was assaulted by then-Senior Superintendent of Police Sumedh Singh Saini and his team in Chandigarh. The 1992 case saw a robust response from the Army. Lt Gen Bipin Chandra Joshi, spoke directly to Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and Governor Surendra Nath, leading to a joint investigation ordered by the Governor. Saini was removed from his post, charge sheeted, and three constables were suspended, with disciplinary proceedings initiated. This decisive action contrasts sharply with the current scenario, where the Army’s off-record stern stand and urging of Punjab Police top brass for action have not translated into public condemnation.
Veteran Sentiments
The veteran fraternity has expressed outrage over this inaction, drawing comparisons to the decisive leadership. Senior veterans’ posts on X, reflecting the broader sentiment:
Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, (Retd)
Tweeted on March 20, 2025 Punjab Police beat Colonel & Son -Didn’t rob car or money. -Robbed Colonel’s I-Card & Mobile – Why?
This, post highlighted the theft of the Colonel’s ID and phone, warning of security risks: “ID card digitally copied for unauthorized access, phone with sensitive data can be misused silence from Indian Army is alarming.” As a former XV Corps Commander and DG Defence Intelligence Agency, his voice underscores the gravity of institutional inaction.
Gen. V. P. Malik. Former Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army
tweeted on March 16, 2025, “Hope local Army authorities are investigating and taking suitable action” and in another tweet “Everyone watching & waiting to learn about action taken against the culprits”.
