Now Reading: Police probe Sukhbir Badal attack but motive remains unknown
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Police probe Sukhbir Badal attack but motive remains unknown
Police and multiple agencies, including the ATS and the IB, have not found a concrete motive for the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal despite long hours of interrogation…
The Story in Brief
Police and multiple agencies, including the ATS and the IB, have not found a concrete motive for the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal despite long hours of interrogation of the accused. The former Punjab deputy chief minister, who has a 'Z+' security cover, was attacked with a kirpan (ceremonial dagger) by Jaspal Singh, a Nihang member, inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra on Thursday. Badal and a police officer from his security unit were injured. Badal is in a private hospital and is expected to be discharged soon.
The assailant, a Pune resident aged about 60-62, holds commerce and law degrees. Police said he had worked as a sewadar at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat for the past two years and lived alone in Nanded. A case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder and causing hurt has been registered. The Times of India reports that Singh attacked Badal as he was walking down stairs.
The Indian Opinion
The inability to find a motive after hours of questioning a Nihang assailant with degrees in commerce and law raises awkward questions. Some will rush to call this a political conspiracy or a security lapse. The facts so far show a lone attacker with no criminal links, living quietly as a sewadar for two years. The real test will be whether investigation agencies deliver a concrete motive or let the case fade into competing political narratives from Delhi and Chandigarh.
Sources (4): deccanherald.com, newindianexpress.com, rediff.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
