The incident involving the assault of a serving an Indian Army colonel and his son by the Punjab Police in Patiala continues to attract public attention, even though nearly a month has passed since it occurred. The victim’s family remains steadfast in their demand for a CBI probe. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has criticized Punjab Police for delaying the filing of an FIR in the case.

Four subordinate officers have been named by Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath as responsible for the violence that left him and his son seriously injured. Mrs. Bath has — to put it euphemistically — taken the offensive, ensuring that the entire Defence Services fraternity and veteran community rallied behind her, thereby compelling the police to finally file an FIR against the erring officers.

However, the discourse has veered into an "Army versus Police" narrative — similar to the earlier case in Odisha, where an army captain and his fiancée were reportedly mistreated by the police. Ironically, the same defence fraternity has been largely silent about the case of paratrooper Abhimanyu, who was allegedly subjected to similar mistreatment by the Jamakhandi Police in Bagalkote, Karnataka, on March 5, 2025. He was released on bail only on March 26 by order of the Senior Civil Judge, Jamakhandi.

While there is no debate that soldiers must be treated with dignity, civilians too are equally deserving of such respectful treatment. India is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law, which must apply uniformly—whether to a uniformed individual or a civilian. There should be no space for such high-handed behavior by the police or any other government agency that represents state authority.

This emerging narrative of a military-police confrontation risks distracting from the broader and more pressing issue: the everyday harassment and mistreatment faced by ordinary citizens at the hands of the police, and the urgent need for police reform. In the landmark Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court had issued directions to initiate police reforms. However, with policing being a state subject, these reforms have been implemented unevenly across states. Notably, the Supreme Court’s directives primarily focus on top-level reforms and insulating the police from political interference.

Grassroot level reforms needed

What remains largely unaddressed are the grassroots-level reforms that police leadership can implement independently—reforms that do not require additional government funding or legislative action. The failure to do so directly contributes to the kind of misconduct seen in the incidents highlighted above.

One key factor behind such behavior is an overworked and understaffed police force. While it is indeed the government's responsibility to fill vacancies, police leadership can still rationalize existing manpower. Personnel deployed in non-essential duties—such as excessive security for senior officers or as orderlies—should be reassigned to core policing functions. A police force that ensures public security automatically contributes to the security of its leadership.

Training is another area fully within the purview of police leadership. In addition to physical fitness and legal knowledge, training must emphasize the development of soft skills and empathy. Police personnel must be trained to overcome biases related to caste, creed, religion, and social status. Unfortunately, training institutes rarely receive officers with a passion and aptitude for the task, as these postings are not considered ‘lucrative.’ This needs to change. Ongoing, on-the-job training should also be institutionalized to keep personnel updated with current protocols and public engagement standards.

Improving public perception of policing

Improving the living and working conditions of police personnel—within existing budget constraints—is also essential. Inadequate facilities, particularly in remote postings, often lead to frustration that can manifest as aggression toward the public. Modern equipment and technology alone will not improve public perception of the police unless the frontline personnel are motivated and content.

Police leaders, chosen through a rigorous selection process, have a crucial role to play in shaping a just and safe society. By effectively guiding their personnel and aligning with broader societal goals, they can transform the police from an oppressive force to a public service institution.

It is imperative for police leadership to act proactively to alter the public perception of policing in India—from one of exploitation to one of facilitation. This transformation demands that they rise above the lure of ‘comfortable’ or ‘lucrative’ postings and instead focus on systemic reforms that address the rot from within.

(The writer, a security analyst, is a retired Additional Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), India, with over 38 years of leadership, command, and policy-level experience. He is the author of the book "BSF, The Eyes and Ears of India", which outlines the BSF’s pivotal role in India's security framework. Views are personal. He can be reached at sks_2@rediffmail.com / X: @sood_2)