After Col Bath’s assault case, Chandigarh Police issues SOP for dealing with army personnels by police officers- Sazia Jindal
Sazia Jindal/ June 22,2025
The standard operating procedure has been established by Chandigarh administration to ensure that all the interactions which happen with army officials should be in a very respectable manner, with all professionalism, it must be impartial, lawful and should be conducted in a transparent manner.
Nobody can forget about the Colonel Bath case which occurred during the early hours of 14th March in Patiala, Punjab. Colonel Bath and his son were eating at a roadside dhabha near Rajindra Hospital where they were brutally and badly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel. Police used baseball bats and sticks to attack them. Colonel’s arm was fractured and his son got head injuries! Also when Colonel Bath told them that he is an army officer, they allegedly snatched his ID card and phone before continuing the assault.
Even after this incident no immediate justice was served rather Punjab Police initially registered an FIR only against “unidentified persons,” citing testimony from a dhaba owner, 12 officers were only suspended. After the annoyed public reaction FIR was registered on March 21 and it named the exact officers involved. Afterwards investigations were transferred to Chandigarh Police.
We all would agree that such incidents with army officials are not good and therefore establishment of SOP was very important. SOP explains the way police must handle situations where Army personnel are involved in legal procedures, for eg-sending notices, carrying out investigations, making arrests or taking further legal action.
This is done to make sure everything is fair, efficient, and in line with both military and civil laws. Police must behave respectfully with army officials whether they are complainants, accused or witnesses. It must also acknowledge the rank and position of army officials. The army officials which are serving must not be arrested without the permission of central government unless it’s a very serious crime, which is unrelated to their duty like kidnapping, murder, rape, etc. complaints by army personnel must be given priority. Copies of FIRs should be shared with both the complainant and Army official! When dealing with army personnel, the police must follow certain guidelines like Strict compliance of section 42 of BNSS.
Senior police Officers [SP/SSP] be informed in a real time manner about the cases involving Army personnel periodic development in such cases. Any verbal info about a serious crime must be written down and signed! Keeping in mind a systematic and good coordination, a proper Military Coordination Branch may be set up which would be headed by a DSP-level officer. This branch will ensure all interactions are recorded so that there is a smooth communication during joint operations.
Also, workshops and awareness sessions must be held regularly to aware police officials about the right way of dealing with army personnels training them about appropriate behavior, legal rights, and respectful interactions with Army personnel. Make sure that the information is kept confidential especially from media in certain cases. It must not be disclosed without official permissions to protect sensitive details. If army personnels are involved as a witnesses or mediators then their statement must be taken without any delay. Their duties must also be considered while planning any kind of official meeting. If there is any serious or sensitive case, then senior police officers must be informed at once. It should be made sure that effective coordination is maintained. Any property such as weapons, vehicles or any other kind of equipment if involved in the case must be handled with good care and reported to Army authorities right away.
Overall, SOP will foster accountability, justice and a more harmonious relationship between civil and military forces, which would ensure that they work together in a very systematic manner and ensure faith in one another.
NOTE: The views expressed by the writer Sazia Jindal, Student, B.A-l (Journalism), Multani Mal Modi College,Patiala are personal.
