Chandigarh, April 4, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and ex-President of Shiromani Akali Dal, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He is demanding a transfer of the investigation into the alleged attack on him to a neutral central agency—either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Attack Outside Golden Temple
The alleged incident occurred on December 4, 2024, near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Although Badal escaped unhurt, he has expressed serious doubts over the fairness of the ongoing investigation by the Punjab Police. According to Badal, the probe is “biased, politically motivated, and aimed at shielding the accused.”
High Court Issues Notice to Punjab Government and CBI
During the court hearing on Friday, Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya issued notices to both the Punjab Government and the CBI. The court directed the state to respond to Badal’s petition by April 30.
Lack of Seriousness Alleged by Counsel
Badal’s legal counsel highlighted that the Punjab Police had not even recorded Badal’s statement, even months after the incident. This omission, according to the counsel, reflects a lack of seriousness in the probe. In response, the Punjab Government told the court it was willing to record the statement on the same day.
Multiple Grounds Cited for Transfer Request
In his petition, Badal outlined several lapses in the current investigation. These included:
-Delayed FIR Registration: The FIR was filed after an unjustified delay.
-Non-Eyewitness Account: The FIR relied on a statement from someone who did not witness the attack.
-Crucial Evidence Ignored: Important pieces of evidence were allegedly omitted from the final report.
-Legal Procedures Skipped: Authorities failed to obtain the necessary sanction under the Arms Act before filing the chargesheet.
Concerns Over Accused’s Bail and Criminal Past
Badal expressed strong objections to the bail granted to the main accused, Narain Singh Chaura, a known history-sheeter with a previous attempt on Badal’s life in 2013. He alleged that the accused is being shielded and that the probe has been manipulated to downplay the severity of the attack.
Alleged Conspiracy and CCTV Footage
The petition also points to a larger conspiracy involving more individuals who haven’t been thoroughly investigated. CCTV footage reportedly shows Chaura conducting reconnaissance with a co-accused. There’s also a reference to a police officer seen in a secretive meeting with the accused, further raising doubts about the integrity of the probe.
Demand for Central Agency Intervention
Badal has strongly urged the court to hand over the case to a central investigative body like the CBI or NIA. He emphasized that only an impartial, high-level probe could uncover the full truth and ensure justice—especially given the accused’s criminal background and the political undertones of the case.
