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Punjab: SAD demands NIA probe into attack on Sukhbir
Party president discharged from Nanded hospital after undergoing surgery; visits Delhi hospital for follow-up; says not afraid
A day after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in a dagger attack in Maharashtra’s Nanded, the party on Friday demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country’s top investigation agency .
“We demand an NIA investigation so that the truth behind the attack on the SAD president can come to light and it can be established how this well-planned conspiracy was carried out,” senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded through a post on X, while sharing a picture of the alleged weapon.
“Look at this weapon – it is so sharp and dangerous, which clearly indicated that the attack was carried out as a part of a conspiracy,” he wrote.
Anti-peace forces behind attack: Sukhbir
On Friday, Sukhbir alleged that forces against peace and communal harmony in Punjab were behind the attack on him.
Speaking to the media after being discharged from hospital in Nanded, Sukhbir said some forces did not want peace to prevail in Punjab and the country, and considered his party a hindrance to their mission.
“They feel that we (SAD) are a hindrance to their mission. My father, Prakash Singh Badal, never compromised against these forces. He always wanted all communities and religions to live together...when my father was the Punjab chief minister, he maintained communal harmony and respect for all religions,” Sukhbir said.
Sukhbir, a Z-category protectee, was allegedly attacked with a ‘kirpan’ by a Nihang, Jaspal Singh, while coming out of Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur with his family members on Thursday. He suffered a grievous injury and fracture in his right forearm.
Doctors at Yashosai Hospital, Nanded, where he underwent surgery for 90 minutes, said Sukhbir was hit with a sharp-edged weapon with full force, causing a four-inch-long and equally deep cut on his right forearm that injured the tendons and muscles, along with fracturing the ulna bone, which runs parallel to the radius bone in the forearm.
This was the second attack on the SAD president in less than two years. In December 2024, he survived an alleged assassination bid by former militant Narain Singh Chaura while he was performing ‘sewadar’ duty at the Golden Temple in Amritsar after the Akal Takht pronounced the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) for “mistakes” committed during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Chaura had allegedly fired at Sukhbir from close range at the entrance of the Golden Temple.
“These forces attempted to kill me at Amritsar’s Golden Temple. They have tried again. Their mission is to take control of the situation in Punjab and disturb the peace...I will never allow this. On both occasions, they have attacked me in the holiest places. First time at the Golden Temple and second time at Takht Hazur Sahib,” Sukhbir said, adding that he was not scared and committed to maintaining brotherhood.
“I am not afraid, and I am committed to Punjab’s brotherhood. SAD can make every kind of sacrifice because the development of Punjab is the development of the country for us,” he said.
After being discharged from the Nanded hospital around 1.30 pm, the former Punjab deputy chief minister flew to Delhi, where he was admitted to a private hospital for a follow-up.
Wife Harsimrat lauds Maharashtra police officer for heroic courage
Sukhbir‘s wife, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, thanked police inspector Santosh Kendre, who jumped in and pinned down the assailant during the attack.
Kendre was part of the special protection unit and sustained injuries to his hands while overpowering the accused.
“I salute Inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre of the MaharashtraPolice’s Special Protection Unit for showing heroic courage in saving Sukhbir Singh Badal ji’s life during the attack in Nanded,” Harsimrat said in a post on X.
“Santosh, you stood like a human shield between Sukhbir ji and the attacker, putting your own life at risk to protect his. In doing so, you reminded us of what it truly means to wear the uniform -- to put duty before self and courage before fear,” she wrote in the post.
Harsimrat added that the Badal family bowed to inspector Kendre with deepest gratitude. “Your bravery will never be forgotten. May Waheguru bless you with a speedy recovery,” she said.
“Also, a special mention for the doctors and the entire staff at the Yashosai Hospital for their relentless service in comforting us,” she added in the post.
Harsimrat also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah for extending their support in this “difficult time” for her family. Both Modi and Shah had enquired about Sukhbir’s condition following the attack in Nanded.
“Your concern, support and wishes during this difficult time mean a lot to all of us in the family, our party and to the people of Punjab. I am deeply touched by your kind gesture. I am also grateful to you for taking immediate cognisance of the incident and directing central investigating agencies to coordinate with Maharashtra police in the probe,” Harsimrat posted on X, while addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thanking Shah, Harsimrat, in another post, wrote, “I am grateful for your personal concern and for your words of reassurance during this difficult time. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring an effective probe into this painful incident which is a grave violation of the fundamental tenets of the great Sikh religion.”
Accused sent to police custody till August 24
A Nanded court on Friday remanded the assailant, Jaspal Singh, in police custody till August 24, an official said.
Jaspal, who holds commerce and law degrees, had been working as a “sewadar” at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur for two years.
He was nabbed immediately after he allegedly attacked Sukhbir at the gurdwara on Thursday. He was interrogated for hours but police had yet to find any concrete reason for his act, officials said.
Nanded superintendent of police Neelabh Rohan said Jaspal repeatedly claimed “he had an order from Waheguru” to attack Sukhbir.
Singh is facing charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant to deter them from performing their duty.
Harsimrat to address Isru rally
While referring to the attack on the party chief, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the party’s “Punjab Bachao” rallies will be held as scheduled.
Cheema said “nothing can dent the courage and determination of the party to keep speaking and fighting for Panth, Punjab and Punjabis”.
As Sukhbir has so far not been given medical clearance to take part in public functions, his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal will address the rally scheduled at Khanna’s Isru village on Saturday.
The party has planned 15 political events in different constituencies as part of its “Punjab Bachao” rallies, beginning from Khanna.
“He (Sukhbir) will be under observation for a few more days and may address the rally in Longowal on August 20,” said Bikram Singh Majithia.
The Longowal rally has been planned in the native village of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal to mark his martyrdom day. Longowal, who was SAD president in the 1980s, was assassinated in 1986. Following the attack on Thursday, the party announced that all programmes would be organised according to the previously decided schedule.
Sukhbir gets exemption from court appearance in Chandigarh
Sukhbir’s counsel on Friday moved an application before a Chandigarh court seeking exemption from his personal appearance in a 2017 defamation case, citing injuries allegedly sustained in the Nanded attack.
The court of additional chief judicial magistrate Sonali Singh allowed the application and exempted Sukhbir from personal appearance for Friday’s hearing, with his counsel undertaking that he will appear on the next date of hearing.
The application stated that his absence was neither wilful nor intentional and was due to the circumstances arising from the alleged attack.
The defamation case was filed in January 2017 by Rajinder Pal Singh, the spokesperson for the religious organisation Akhand Kirtani Jatha, accusing Sukhbir of defaming the group by publicly describing it as the political face of a terrorist organisation.
According to the complaint, Sukhbir made the controversial remarks shortly after Rajinder met with the then-Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, at his official residence.
(With agency inputs)
