Chandigarh: Alleging police bias and political interference in the investigation into the December 4, 2024 case of `murderous attack’ on him, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Badal has moved Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking an inquiry by an independent agency.
It may be recalled that on December 4, last year, Sukhbir was performing ``sewa’’ at the entrance of Golden Temple, Amritsar, when he was attacked by a former militant Narain Singh Chaura, though the attack was foiled by alertness of his security personnel.
Chaura had opened fire, but the bullet hit a wall after Sukhbir’s security personnel swiftly acted and overpowered Chaura. Sukhbir was performing the duty of ``sewadar’’ at the main entrance of the Golden Temple as penance for ``mistakes’’ committed during the SAD government’s rule in Punjab from 2007-2017. He was declared ``tankhaiya’’ (guilty of religious misconduct) when he was also Punjab’s deputy chief minister, by the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat.
The incident hit the headlines as it was captured by the newspersons who were on the spot to cover Sukhbir’s atonement.
Alleging that the investigation by the Punjab police into the case was unfair and biased, Sukhbir held that there was deliberate attempt to dilute the case and the facts misrepresented by the Punjab police, and sought the case be transferred to an independent agency.
Sukhbir claimed that the FIR was registered after an inordinate delay that too on the statement of a person who was not an eyewitness. The Akali leader Sukhbir Badal, further held that Chaura was also granted bail on March 25, last, due to the lapses in the police investigation. The accused was arrested for attempted murder.
The High Court Bench of Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya has sought Punjab government’s response by April 30.
