SAD chief Sukhbir Badal injured in attack in Nanded; Maharashtra CM orders probe

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked in Maharashtra's Nanded town on Thursday (August 13).

He was injured in a ‘kirpan’ attack inside a gurdwara on the outskirts of Nanded. Badal was rushed to hospital, where he received two to three stitches on his right hand. The attacker has been arrested. The attacker was serving as a ‘sewadar’ there for the last two years, and hails from Pune, police said.

Visuals showed Badal walking inside a hospital building with a cloth wrapped around his right hand. Badal is protected by Z plus category security.

Attacker holds commerce, law degrees

Jaspal Singh, the accused, is 60-62 years old and was serving as a sewadar or volunteer at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, said a senior police official.

During preliminary questioning, he referred to the drug menace in Punjab but his exact reasons for attacking Badal were yet to be ascertained, said Nanded Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelabh Rohan.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad is also conducting a probe into the matter along with the police, he said, adding that the condition of Badal, who is undergoing treatment, was stable.

Jaspal holds commerce and law degrees, and is based in Pune with his family, said SP Rohan, adding that he was staying alone in Nanded.

''We have arrested him and interrogation is underway. We are checking his background....Initially he said he was angry about the drugs (problem) in Punjab. But the exact reason for the attack will come out only after a detailed investigation. We have also not come across any gang connection or criminal background of the attacker," the SP said.

Police officer injured

Police officer Santosh Kendre, who was part of the special protection unit, was also injured while protecting him. Badal was going down a flight of stairs at the time.

Also read: Badal challenges Kejriwal to debate over ‘paper leaks, recruitment scams’ in Punjab

SAD leaders termed the attack, which took place around 1:45 pm at the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, about 15 km from Nanded, an intelligence failure and said the party chief was fine and in high spirits. Senior leaders, including Badal’s brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia, demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

“A Nihang (member of a martial order of Sikhs) attacked Badal with a kirpan (ceremonial dagger) inside the gurdwara. The attacker has been taken into custody,” Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan told PTI.

Condemnation and response

The incident drew condemnation from BJP spokesperson RP Singh, who described it as “completely unacceptable” and said violence had no place in a democratic society.

Also Read: SAD backs Women’s Reservation Bill, supports uniform Lok Sabha delimitation after Modi meeting

"Punjab and the Punjabi community have already suffered immensely during the dark and painful years of violence and militancy. Generations of Punjabis have borne the deep scars left by that period. We cannot, under any circumstances, allow those dark days to return. Peace, brotherhood, constitutional values and the rule of law must always prevail. I pray for the good health, safety and speedy recovery of S Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji,” stated Singh in a post on X (Formerly Twitter).

Fadnavis orders probe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into the attack, and he called up the SAD chief to ask about his health.

Earlier, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 4, 2024. He escaped unhurt in that attack, while the assailant was restrained and arrested at the spot shortly after the incident.

(With agency inputs)