Punjab Newsline | Nanded (Maharashtra)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in an alleged kirpan attack at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Thursday afternoon.
According to police, the incident took place at around 1 pm when Badal had arrived at the shrine with his family to pay obeisance. A man dressed in Nihang attire allegedly attacked him with a kirpan, causing an injury to his hand. He was immediately taken to Yashosai Hospital for treatment.
A police security officer deployed with Badal, Santosh Hegde, was also injured while trying to stop the attacker. Police later arrested the accused, identified as Jaspal Singh, and began questioning him.
Officials said CCTV footage from the gurdwara premises is being examined, and eyewitnesses are being questioned to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the assault.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Sukhbir Badal’s wife and a Member of Parliament, and enquired about his health.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police and ordered a detailed investigation. The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the accused had been taken into custody and that authorities were probing the intent behind the attack.
Sources said the accused had reportedly been performing sewa at the gurdwara for nearly two years. He is believed to be a resident of Pune and had allegedly worked as a lawyer before joining religious service. Police said an argument may have preceded the attack, but the exact cause of the dispute is yet to be established.
Reacting to the incident, SAD spokesperson Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kaler said Sukhbir Badal was safe and recovering. He added that Maharashtra Police would investigate whether the attacker acted alone or was instigated by someone else.
The incident has also revived memories of the December 4, 2024 attack on Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. At that time, he had narrowly escaped a firing incident while performing a religious punishment ordered by the Akal Takht in connection with the Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege cases during the Akali Dal government.
Police in Nanded said the investigation is continuing, and further details will be released after questioning the accused and analysing the available evidence.
