Jaspal Singh, the Nihang Sikh who allegedly attacked Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal with a kirpan on Thursday, has told the police that he received the aadesh (divine order) from “Waheguru”, which he says came to him when he was praying at the Nanded gurudwara.
The incident happened at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji, Mugat in Nanded, Maharashtra, just as Sukhbir Badal was coming down the gurudwara steps. Jaspal, who had been standing there with three others, lunged at him with a kirpan, leaving him with a hand injury.
The accused was arrested and later taken to Nanded Police headquarters for interrogation.
During his interrogation, Jaspal Singh told the police that he had taken sanyas from the world in 2023, leaving behind his wife and daughter in Pune. He became a Nihang (a warrior order in the Khalsa Panth of Sikhism) sevadar at Nanded. The police said he was a lawyer by profession and worked at a corporate firm in Mumbai before becoming a Nihang.
An officer who interrogated Jaspal Singh said he acted alone and did not receive help from the outside.
“So far this is the version he has maintained. In the investigation so far, it does not appear that he had help from the outside or that it was a pre-planned attack. He claims that he felt from within that he should attack Badal and has given multiple reasons like the condition of Punjab and the drug issues there,” the officer said.
SP Neelabh Rohan said that Jaspal Singh will be produced before the court on Friday, where the police will seek his custody.
Story continues below this ad
Earlier, the Nihang Sikh had told the police that he attacked Badal on the ‘spur of the moment’.
A Maharashtra police officer, who was part of Badal’s security detail, also sustained minor injuries. Badal, too, was injured in the attack. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Badal is likely to be discharged from the hospital today.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More
