CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal escaped a potentially fatal attack at a gurdwara in Nanded on Thursday after a 62-year-old sevadar allegedly concealed a kirpan in a handkerchief and tried to strike him in the chest.Badal managed to evade the blow, taking the strike on his right forearm.The attack took place around 2pm at Mata Sahib Devaji Gurdwara in Mudkhed taluka, where Badal had gone with his wife and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal after offering prayers at Sachkhand Gurdwara. As Badal descended the steps after darshan, the accused, identified as Jaspal Singh Teja Singh Aidal of Pune, allegedly approached him with folded hands before suddenly pulling out the concealed kirpan.Former Nanded Gurdwara Board secretary Ravinder Singh Bungai, an eyewitness, said Jaspal had been standing with a large handkerchief in his hand, concealing the kirpan. When Badal approached him, the accused allegedly attempted to strike him in the chest. Badal managed to evade the blow and the weapon struck his arm instead.Security personnel immediately overpowered the attacker, preventing a more serious assault. Inspector Santosh Kendre of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Nanded, was injured on his right forearm while intervening and securing the weapon.Badal was rushed to Yashosai Hospital in Nanded, where doctors confirmed a fracture. He was later reported to be stable and out of danger.Nanded superintendent of police Nilabh Rohan said security personnel acted swiftly to prevent a further attack. He said the accused was a 62-year-old Nihang Sikh and sevadar associated with the gurdwara.Jaspal was immediately arrested. Police said he had been staying at the Nanded gurdwara for the past two years and was working there as a sevadar.Bungai said the accused began shouting “surrendered, surrendered” after being restrained by police and security personnel.
Who is Jaspal Singh?
Jaspal Singh Teja Singh Aidal, 62, has deep roots in Pune and spent most of his life in the city’s Camp area before moving to Nanded around two years ago for religious service, according to a crime branch officer.A law graduate, Jaspal tried several professions in Pune. Police inquiries found that he practised law for some time, ran a small newspaper and operated a snack centre in Camp for around three years before shutting it down.His wife, a schoolteacher, continues to live in the family’s first-floor flat in Pune with their nephew. The Pune crime branch questioned his family members to establish his background and understand his activities.“His wife and others told us that he hardly contacted his family members,” DCP (crime) Gauhar Hassan said.A Maharashtra ATS team later visited Jaspal’s home and conducted a search that continued until late at night. Nothing suspicious had been found at the residence until the time of reporting.
Why did he attack Badal?
A senior Maharashtra ATS officer said Jaspal initially gave evasive replies during questioning before claiming that he was angry over the drug menace in Punjab and held the Badal family responsible for it.Investigators are examining whether this was his actual motive or whether the attack had wider links or was part of a larger conspiracy.An FIR has been registered at Mudkhed police station under attempt-to-murder charges and relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Maharashtra ATS and central agencies have joined the investigation.Investigators are examining CCTV footage, the security deployment around Badal and the response of security personnel. They are also looking into how Jaspal managed to get close to Badal despite his security cover.
Second attack on Badal in less than two years
Thursday’s incident was the second attack on Badal in less than two years. In December 2024, he escaped unhurt after a man opened fire near the Golden Temple complex.Badal has Z-plus category security. However, he is entitled to CISF cover only in Punjab and Delhi, with around 40 personnel deployed. Punjab Police personnel were accompanying him when Thursday’s attack took place.
Political significance
The attack comes barely a week after Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had fuelled speculation about a possible BJP-SAD rapprochement ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.SAD leaders termed the attack a conspiracy to eliminate Badal and demanded a CBI inquiry.The incident also triggered an immediate response from the Maharashtra government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Badal, sought details from district police and ordered a high-level probe. Director general of police Sadanand Date and additional DGP (law and order) Nikhil Gupta also sought detailed reports.Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone and enquired about Sukhbir Badal’s health.The investigation is now focused on establishing Jaspal’s motive, how he gained access to Badal and whether anyone else was involved in planning or facilitating the attack.