Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp weapon inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded on Thursday, police said.
The attack took place around 1.45 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, where Badal was visiting. The attacker was identified as Nihang Jaspal Singh Tejpal and was detained by police shortly after the incident.
Badal suffered a minor injury to his right hand and was rushed to a private hospital for treatment. He is undergoing treatment at Yashosai Hospital and is out of danger.
Doctors at Yashosai Hospital said Sukhbir Singh Badal is being treated by a team of three senior surgeons for an injury to his hand caused by the kirpan attack. They said surgery was underway 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, were present at the hospital to monitor the situation.
Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed as part of Badal's security detail, was also attacked and suffered minor injuries while trying to protect him.
The attacker, Jaspal Singh Tejpal, was detained by police shortly after the incident. Police are questioning the attacker and conducting further investigation into the incident.
The accused, 62-year-old lawyer Jaspal Singh from Pune, had been serving at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara near Nanded for two years before allegedly attacking Sukhbir Singh Badal as the Akali Dal leader emerged after paying obeisance.
The attack took place inside the gurdwara premises. Sukhbir Singh Badal is the son of former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The investigation has since widened, with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducting a search at Jaspal Singh's residence in Pune's Pul Gate area.
Officials said the agency is gathering information about his background, activities and possible motive behind the attack.
According to preliminary information, the 62-year-old had been serving at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded for the past two years.
Investigators also found that he had been living separately from his wife, who has been working as a teacher at a gurdwara school in Pune for nearly two decades. Their daughter is married.
Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a detailed report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police. According to officials, the accused was arrested immediately after the attack.
The Chief Minister also directed police to investigate the motive behind the assault. Officials said Sukhbir Singh Badal is in stable condition.
The Maharashtra CMO also said that Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Sukhbir Singh Badal over the phone and enquired about his health following the attack.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal - wife of Badal - over the phone and enquired about his health after the attack, party leaders said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, describing it as "extremely disturbing" and saying violence arising out of ideological differences was unacceptable in a democracy.
He said he had spoken to Badal over the phone to enquire about his health and wished him a speedy recovery.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told India Today that the government would investigate whether there had been any lapse in Sukhbir Singh Badal's security.
He said security had been provided in accordance with the prescribed protocol and that the Superintendent of Police's office had taken all necessary precautions. However, he added that authorities would examine the circumstances on the ground to determine how the attack occurred.
Shiromani Akali Dal national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar termed the incident a serious security lapse, saying Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked while on his way to pay obeisance at the gurdwara. He said Badal sustained injuries to his hand and that his security officer was also reportedly injured while protecting him.
Talwar described the attack as an assault not only on Badal but also on the unity and integrity of Punjab. He said the incident raised serious concerns over the security arrangements, noting that Badal is a former Punjab deputy chief minister with Z+ security cover.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also condemned the attack, calling it completely unacceptable and saying violence had no place in a democratic society. While acknowledging that political differences were a natural part of democracy, he said they could never justify violence.
Bittu said Punjab had already suffered through years of violence and militancy and stressed that such a period should never return. He wished Sukhbir Singh Badal a speedy recovery and urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
He also appealed to people to maintain peace and uphold democratic values and the rule of law.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon also condemned the attack, saying he was deeply concerned over the incident 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. The holy land of Sri Hazur Sahib imparts to us the message of peace, service, contemplation, and the welfare of all. Such a violent incident at this sacred site is profoundly distressing and utterly condemnable," he tweeted.
Wishing Sukhbir Singh Badal a speedy recovery, Dhillon said violence had no place, particularly at one of Sikhism's sacred Takhts.
In December 2024, former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist and Khalistani activist Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Badal at the entrance of the Golden Temple. Badal was serving as a 'sewadar' at the temple entrance as part of a religious punishment at the time.
Badal was unharmed in the 2024 shooting.
Source: India Today