CM Fadnavis lauds Maharashtra cop who foiled Sukhbir Badal attack
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis publicly praised SPU Inspector Santosh Kendre of Nanded Police for his swift, selfless action in protecting former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal during an attack, calling it a proud reflection of Maharashtra Police's tradition of bravery.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis praised Inspector Santosh Kendre of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) on 14 August 2026 .
Kendre was on protection duty for former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal when an attack occurred.
Fadnavis credited Kendre with 'courage, presence of mind, and sense of duty' and said he acted 'without regard for his own life.' The post tagged @NandedPolice , Kendre's home unit, amplifying the commendation officially.
Fadnavis holds the Home portfolio in Maharashtra and has a record of publicly recognising individual police bravery.
A formal gallantry citation or departmental award from the state is a possible follow-up, though none has been announced.
When a gunman moved against former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, it was a Maharashtra Police inspector — on special protection duty far from home — who moved faster. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 14 August 2026, publicly saluted Police Inspector Santosh Kendre of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) for his swift, selfless response that shielded Badal from harm.
Posting in Marathi, CM Fadnavis wrote: 'क्षणाचाही विलंब न करता त्यांच्या सुरक्षेसाठी धावून जात दाखवलेले धैर्य, प्रसंगावधान आणि कर्तव्यनिष्ठा निश्चितच कौतुकास्पद आहे' — 'The courage, presence of mind, and sense of duty he displayed by rushing to protect him without a moment's hesitation are truly commendable.' He added that Kendre's readiness, 'without regard for his own life,' underlines the 'glorious tradition of bravery and dedication of Maharashtra Police.' The post tagged @NandedPolice, indicating Kendre's home unit.
A Maharashtra officer on Punjab duty
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, has faced security threats in the past. The cross-state dimension here is notable: a Maharashtra Police officer from Nanded was deployed on special protection detail for a Punjab political figure — a routine arrangement under India's VIP security framework, but one that placed Inspector Kendre squarely in the line of fire when the attack occurred.
CM Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio in Maharashtra, has consistently used public platforms to recognise individual acts of police bravery. His tagging of @NandedPolice amplifies the commendation through official channels and signals the possibility of a formal state-level recognition to follow.
Salute from the top — and what may come next
'I wholeheartedly commend Police Inspector Santosh Kendre's brave and selfless act. Salute to his courage!' Fadnavis wrote, closing with a direct address to the officer. Such public endorsements from a sitting Chief Minister often precede formal gallantry citations or departmental awards — though no official announcement has been made yet.
Inspector Kendre's actions, as described, are a reminder that protection duty is never ceremonial. One officer, one moment, one decision — and the outcome changes entirely.
Point of View
His praise carries institutional weight that can fast-track departmental recognition for Kendre. The cross-state nature of the incident — a Maharashtra officer protecting a Punjab opposition leader — also allows Fadnavis to project Maharashtra Police's reach and professionalism on a national stage. Such gestures fit a broader BJP governance narrative of honouring security personnel publicly and visibly. Whether this translates into a formal gallantry award will be the real measure of institutional follow-through.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Inspector Santosh Kendre?
Inspector Santosh Kendre is a Maharashtra Police officer attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU), based with Nanded Police, who was on VIP protection duty for former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal when an attack occurred.
What happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal?
An attack was made against former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Inspector Kendre, on protection duty, intervened swiftly to shield him. Specific details of the incident have not been officially confirmed.
Why did CM Fadnavis praise a Nanded Police officer?
Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio in Maharashtra, praised Inspector Kendre for his bravery during the attack on Sukhbir Badal, calling it a reflection of Maharashtra Police's tradition of courage and duty.
Will Inspector Kendre receive a gallantry award?
No formal award has been announced yet. However, public commendations by Maharashtra's Chief Minister have historically preceded departmental citations or state gallantry awards, making one a possibility to watch.
Why was a Maharashtra officer protecting a Punjab politician?
Under India's VIP security framework, SPU personnel can be deployed across state lines to protect designated political figures. Inspector Kendre was assigned to Sukhbir Singh Badal's protection detail as part of this arrangement.
