Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Police Find No Conspiracy in Sukhbir Badal Attack
Police say Jaspal Singh attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal by himself.
The attack happened at a gurdwara in Nanded.
Singh allegedly used a kirpan, or dagger, but a security officer stopped him.
Badal hurt his hand, and the officer suffered minor injuries.
Investigators looked for signs that other people planned the attack.
They say they found no evidence of a larger conspiracy.
Police believe Singh made the decision after praying or meditating.
Singh said he blamed Badal for Punjab’s drug problem.
He is expected to appear in court.
Police say 63-year-old Jaspal Singh acted alone in attacking Sukhbir Singh Badal at a Nanded gurdwara.
Investigators found no evidence of a wider conspiracy after reviewing technical evidence, questioning Singh and speaking with people around him.
Police say Singh decided to attack Badal suddenly after a prayer or meditation session and blamed him for Punjab’s drug crisis.
Singh allegedly lunged at Badal with a kirpan as Badal descended the gurdwara steps; a security officer intervened and was slightly injured.
Badal suffered a hand injury, while Singh is expected to appear before a local court; police say he had become a Nihang Sikh volunteer in Nanded.
- Who
- Jaspal Singh allegedly attacked Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal; a security officer intervened.
- What
- Singh allegedly lunged at Badal with a kirpan, causing Badal a hand injury; police say Singh acted alone.
- When
- The report was published nearly 10 days after Singh’s arrest; the attack date is not specified, and he was expected in court on Monday.
- Where
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji in Nanded, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Police say Singh felt morally compelled to act after blaming Badal for Punjab’s worsening drug crisis and deciding to attack after a prayer or meditation session.
Police Investigation
Political Context and Allegations
Whether others were involved
Police Investigation
Police say technical evidence, interrogation and statements from people around Singh indicate that he acted alone, with no wider conspiracy.
Political Context and Allegations
The report does not present evidence from another suspect or group disputing the police conclusion; the attack occurred amid ongoing political criticism of SAD leadership.
Reason for the attack
Police Investigation
Police characterize the attack as a spur-of-the-moment decision following a prayer or meditation session, rather than a premeditated plan.
Political Context and Allegations
Singh reportedly gave a political explanation, saying he blamed Badal for Punjab’s worsening drug crisis; the Aam Aadmi Party and other rivals have separately accused the former SAD-BJP government of failing to curb synthetic drugs.
- Suspect
- Jaspal Singh, 63, a former lawyer who became a Nihang Sikh sevadar in Nanded.
- Target
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, 64, SAD leader and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister.
- Police finding
- Investigators found no evidence of a wider conspiracy and believe Singh acted alone.
- Alleged weapon
- A kirpan, described in the report as a dagger.
- Injuries
- Badal sustained a hand injury; a security officer suffered minor injuries.
- Stated motive
- Singh blamed Badal for the worsening drug crisis in Punjab.
- Court status
- Singh was expected to be produced before a local court on Monday.