The attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded has put the spotlight on the man accused of carrying it out — 62-year-old Jaspal Singh.
Police took Singh into custody from the spot after he allegedly attacked Badal with a kirpan while the Akali Dal leader was leaving the gurdwara after offering prayers.
Who is Jaspal Singh?
According to preliminary police information, Jaspal Singh is a lawyer originally from Pune and had previously practised at a court there.
Singh has also been associated with Mata Sahib Devan Ji Gurdwara in Mugat, near Nanded, for around two years. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly dressed in Nihang attire.
Police are now questioning Singh as they attempt to establish what prompted the attack and whether there was any larger motive behind it.
How did the attack happen?
The incident took place at around 1.45 pm, when Badal was coming down the stairs of the gurdwara after offering prayers.
According to the preliminary account, Singh approached Badal and allegedly used a kirpan to attack him. Security personnel present at the site immediately reacted and overpowered the accused before the situation could escalate further.
A video recorded at the location showed Singh’s turban coming off while police were taking him into custody. Another person was seen approaching him and tying the turban back around his head.
Badal injured, security officer also hurt
Badal sustained an injury to his right hand during the assault. He was taken to hospital, where doctors treated the wound and put two to three stitches.
Officials said the former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister is out of danger.
Police officer Santosh Kendre, who was part of Badal’s security team, was also injured while stepping in to protect him.
Both Badal and Kendre were admitted to Yasho Sai Hospital, where they received medical attention.
PM Modi, Fadnavis enquire about Badal
Before the attack, Badal had visited Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded along with his wife and Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone and enquired about her husband’s health.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also contacted Badal and sought details about the incident. He directed the Nanded Police to investigate the circumstances of the attack and establish the motive behind it.
SAD demands CBI probe
The attack has also triggered strong reactions within the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the incident as a “total intelligence failure” and called for a CBI investigation. Party leader Virsa Singh Valtoha also demanded a detailed probe to determine who was behind the attack.
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said the Maharashtra Police should investigate whether the assault was part of a broader conspiracy. He also alleged that “panth virodhi” forces were targeting panthic leaders.
Second attack on Sukhbir Badal in less than two years
Thursday’s assault is not the first attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in recent years.
In December 2024, Badal was targeted outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing the duty of a sewadar as part of religious penance ordered by the Akal Takht.
Former Babbar Khalsa International member Narain Singh Chaura allegedly approached Badal and fired a pistol at him. Badal was sitting in a wheelchair at the time.
A plainclothes police officer, ASI Jasbir Singh, intervened and pushed Chaura’s arm upwards as he fired. The bullet missed Badal and hit the wall behind him. Chaura was subsequently overpowered and handed over to police.
The 2024 incident occurred while Badal was carrying out the sewadar duty following a tankhah imposed by the Akal Takht over alleged mistakes during the Shiromani Akali Dal government’s tenure in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
The latest Nanded attack has now raised fresh questions over security around the SAD chief and, crucially, what motivated Jaspal Singh to allegedly target him. The police investigation is expected to establish the reason behind the assault and whether anyone else was involved.
