Sukhbir Badal attack: Maha DCM Shinde vows strict action against culprits
Synopsis
A man in Nihang attire attacked former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal with a sharp weapon at a Nanded shrine on 13 August, injuring a police inspector in the process. Maharashtra's top leadership — CM Fadnavis, DCM Shinde, and MoS Home Bhoyar — all personally intervened, signalling the political gravity of an assault on a senior national opposition figure at one of Sikhism's holiest sites.
Key Takeaways
Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp weapon at a shrine in Nanded on 13 August at approximately 11:00 AM .
The attacker, identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh , was dressed in Nihang attire and was detained on the spot.
A Nanded Police Special Protection Unit inspector was injured while helping foil the assault.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered a full inquiry and personally contacted Badal by phone.
DCM Eknath Shinde directed the Nanded SP to investigate security lapses and vowed no perpetrator would be shielded.
MoS Home Pankaj Bhoyar confirmed strict legal action would follow the investigation.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday, 13 August strongly condemned the attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at a shrine in Nanded, calling it 'extremely condemnable and shocking' and asserting that no perpetrator would be spared from legal consequences. Shinde directly contacted the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Nanded to review the situation and issued directives for a thorough investigation into any security lapses.
What Happened at the Nanded Shrine
The assault took place at approximately 11:00 AM when Sukhbir Singh Badal, accompanied by his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, his daughters, son, and son-in-law, visited the shrine after a pilgrimage to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib. According to officials, an individual dressed in Nihang attire attacked Badal with a sharp weapon. Badal's security team immediately intervened, overpowering the attacker and preventing further harm. A police inspector from the Nanded Police Special Protection Unit was also injured while helping foil the assault.
The attacker, identified by local authorities as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, was detained on the spot. Maharashtra Police have launched an investigation to establish the primary motive behind the assault.
Government Response and Directives
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a full inquiry into the matter, spoke directly with the Nanded SP for updates, and personally contacted Badal by phone to inquire about his health. Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar also reiterated that strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible, noting he had been attending a party meeting in Bhandara when the incident occurred and would gather official details.
DCM Shinde additionally reached out to Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone to inquire about Sukhbir's well-being and prayed for his swift and complete recovery. 'Maintaining the sanctity of religious places, social harmony and law and order is the highest responsibility of the Government,' Shinde asserted.
Key Statements from Officials
Shinde stated there is no place for violent attacks at religious or social venues — in Maharashtra or anywhere in the country. He reiterated that every individual involved in the crime would be identified through the investigation and that no one would be shielded from facing strict legal consequences. The Maharashtra government's response underscores the political sensitivity of an attack on a prominent national opposition figure at a revered Sikh religious site.
What Comes Next
Maharashtra Police are expected to submit a preliminary investigation report to the state government. The incident has drawn sharp political attention given Badal's stature as a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) national profile. Security protocol reviews at major religious sites in Nanded are also likely to follow.
Point of View
Multi-level response — CM, DCM, and MoS Home all personally calling the Nanded SP within hours — reflects how politically charged this incident is. An attack on a former Deputy Chief Minister at a revered Sikh religious site carries communal and law-and-order dimensions that neither the ruling Mahayuti alliance nor the national BJP can afford to be seen mishandling. The deeper question is one of VIP security protocol: Badal was on a religious pilgrimage with family, yet a weapon-wielding attacker got close enough to strike. That gap in protective cover demands answers beyond the standard 'strict action' assurances.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded?
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp weapon by a man dressed in Nihang attire at a shrine in Nanded on 13 August at around 11:00 AM. His security team overpowered the attacker, and a police inspector from the Nanded Special Protection Unit was injured in the process.
Who attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal?
Local authorities identified the attacker as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, who was detained on the spot. Maharashtra Police have launched an investigation to establish the primary motive behind the assault.
How did the Maharashtra government respond to the attack?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a full inquiry and personally spoke with the Nanded SP and Badal. DCM Eknath Shinde directed the SP to investigate security lapses and vowed strict action, while MoS Home Pankaj Bhoyar confirmed legal consequences for those responsible.
Was anyone else injured in the Nanded attack?
Yes, a police inspector from the Nanded Police Special Protection Unit was injured while helping foil the assault on Sukhbir Singh Badal. Badal himself was protected by his security team, who intervened immediately.
Where exactly did the attack on Sukhbir Badal occur?
The attack occurred at a shrine in Nanded, Maharashtra, which Badal visited along with his family after completing a pilgrimage to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, one of the five Takhts (seats of temporal authority) in Sikhism.
