Ex-Terrorist Linked To Sukhbir Badal Attack Spotted With Cop, Claims Akali Leader

By Saumya Joshi

Updated: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 15:53 [IST]

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has raised serious concerns over the alleged involvement of a police officer in the recent attack on party president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Amritsar.

Majithia claimed that a police officer was seen shaking hands with Narain Singh Chaura, the individual responsible for shooting at Sukhbir Badal, while he was performing religious penance at the Golden Temple, as reported by India Today.

Photo Credit: PTI

Majithia, who is also undergoing penance as part of religious duties, posted a video showing Chaura meeting a person whom he identified as Senior Police Officer Harpal Singh, as reported by India Today. "CP Amritsar Mr. Gurpreet Bhullar, when Sukhbir Singh Badal was doing 'sewa', your SP Harpal Singh was shaking hands and meeting terrorist Narain Chaura. When will you speak about it? Do you have any answer?" Majithia questioned on social media.

Shooting Incident at Golden Temple

The shocking incident took place on Wednesday when Narain Chaura, a former Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist, opened fire on Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple. Badal, dressed in a blue 'sewadar' uniform and holding a spear as part of his penance, narrowly escaped the attack. Video footage showed Badal, seated in a wheelchair, ducking for cover as Chaura pulled out a gun. However, temple officials and security personnel quickly responded, overpowering the assailant before he could inflict harm, as reported.

Religious Punishment for Badal

The attack occurred a day after Sukhbir Badal, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and a Z-plus protectee, began performing 'sewa' (service) at the Golden Temple. The service was part of a punishment issued by the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh religious authority, for mistakes made by the SAD government during its tenure from 2007 to 2017. These included incidents of sacrilege and police firing at Kotkapura.

Badal was instructed to serve as a 'sewadar' at several key gurdwaras in Punjab, including Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, and Darbar Sahib in Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib. He is set to perform the duty at each of these sites for two days, as part of the penance for his past actions, as reported by India Today.

Security Measures Tightened

Following the assassination attempt, tight security measures were implemented during Badal's ongoing penance. On Thursday, the 62-year-old leader performed his duties outside Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Rupnagar district, under heavy security, as reported by India Today. Senior police officials, including Rupnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana, confirmed that foolproof security arrangements were in place.

Plainclothes policemen and task force members from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) were deployed, and metal detectors were set up at the gurdwara to ensure safety.

Family and Supporters Join in Prayers

Alongside Majithia and other SAD leaders who are also performing penance, Badal's family, including wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, son Anantbir Singh Badal, and daughters Harkirat Kaur Badal and Gurleen Kaur Badal, also attended prayers at the gurdwara, as per media reports. They participated in cleaning dishes at the community kitchen as part of their spiritual service.

The political and religious drama surrounding the incident has sparked heated discussions within the state and beyond, with allegations of police involvement and calls for transparency in the investigation.