Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday, police said.
The incident occurred at around 1.45 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, where Badal had gone to pay obeisance. Police identified the attacker as Nihang Jaspal Singh Tejpal and detained him soon after the assault.
Badal sustained a minor injury to his right hand and was taken to a private hospital for treatment. He is currently being treated at Yashosai Hospital and is said to be out of danger.
BADAL INJURED, ATTACKER IN CUSTODY
Doctors at Yashosai Hospital said a team of three senior surgeons was treating Sukhbir Singh Badal for the hand injury caused by the kirpan attack. They said surgery was being carried out under local anaesthesia after his blood pressure was found to be elevated.
Senior district officials, including Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile, Superintendent of Police Nilabh Rohan, the Inspector General of Police and the Civil Surgeon, reached the hospital to monitor his condition.
Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was part of Badal’s security detail, also suffered minor injuries while attempting to shield him from the attacker.
Jaspal Singh Tejpal was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Police are questioning him as part of their investigation into the attack.
The accused, 62-year-old Pune-based lawyer Jaspal Singh, had reportedly been serving at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara near Nanded for around two years. He allegedly attacked Badal as the Akali Dal leader was leaving after paying obeisance.
The assault occurred within the gurdwara premises. Sukhbir Singh Badal is the son of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has also expanded the investigation by searching Jaspal Singh’s residence in Pune’s Pul Gate area.
Officials said the agency was collecting information about his background, activities and the possible motive behind the attack.
Preliminary findings indicated that the 62-year-old had been associated with the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded for the past two years.
Investigators also learned that Singh had been living separately from his wife, who has worked as a teacher at a gurdwara school in Pune for nearly 20 years. Their daughter is married.
FADNAVIS SEEKS REPORT, PM MODI CHECKS ON BADAL'S HEALTH
Following the attack, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked the Nanded Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report. Officials said the accused was arrested immediately after the incident.
Fadnavis also instructed the police to establish the motive behind the assault. Authorities said Badal’s condition remained stable.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office said Fadnavis spoke to Sukhbir Singh Badal over the phone and enquired about his health.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Badal’s wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and asked about his condition following the attack, party leaders said.
BJP, SAD LEADERS CONDEMN ATTACK
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the assault on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, calling it “extremely disturbing” and stressing that violence stemming from ideological differences had no place in a democracy.
He said he had spoken to Badal over the phone to enquire about his health and wished him a quick recovery.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told India Today that authorities would examine whether there had been any security lapse during the incident.
He said Badal had been provided security according to the prescribed protocol and that the Superintendent of Police’s office had taken all required precautions. However, he added that officials would assess the circumstances at the location to determine how the attack took place.
Shiromani Akali Dal national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar described the incident as a major security failure, saying Badal was attacked while heading to pay obeisance at the gurdwara. He said Badal suffered an injury to his hand and that one of his security personnel was also injured while attempting to protect him.
Talwar said the incident represented an attack not just on Badal but also on Punjab’s unity and integrity. He questioned the security arrangements, pointing out that Badal is a former Punjab deputy chief minister who has Z+ security cover.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also denounced the attack, calling it completely unacceptable and stressing that violence has no place in a democratic society.
While noting that political disagreements are a normal part of democracy, Bittu said they could never be used to justify violence.
He recalled Punjab’s history of violence and militancy and said the state must never return to those circumstances. Bittu wished Badal a speedy recovery and urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct a comprehensive and impartial probe into the incident.
He also appealed to people to maintain peace and respect democratic principles and the rule of law.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon also condemned the incident, expressing concern over the attack at Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib.
“I offer prayers for his swift recovery and rising spirits. Violence has no place in any society or democracy, especially not on the sacred ground of our revered Takht Sahiban—absolutely not,” he said.
Dhillon said the sacred site of Sri Hazur Sahib represents peace, service, contemplation and the welfare of all, describing the violent incident there as deeply distressing and condemnable.
He wished Sukhbir Singh Badal a speedy recovery and reiterated that violence had no place, particularly at one of Sikhism’s revered Takhts.
SECOND ATTACK ON BADAL IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS
The latest assault comes less than two years after Badal was targeted in December 2024.
At that time, former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist and Khalistani activist Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Badal was serving as a ‘sewadar’ at the temple entrance as part of a religious punishment when the incident occurred.
Badal escaped unharmed in the 2024 shooting.
