Sukhbir Badal Moves High Court, Alleges Political Interference in Probe into Golden Temple Attack

Golden Temple Attack: After Col Bath Case Controversy, Spotlight Now on Punjab Police Amid Fresh Allegations of Bias and Lapses in High-Profile Investigation.

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Chandigarh, April 4: In a dramatic turn of events just a day after facing criticism over the Col Bath case, the Punjab Police has once again come under fire — this time for alleged lapses in the investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president, Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Sukhbir Singh Badal has filed a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, accusing the state’s law enforcement of political bias and deliberate mishandling of the investigation into the December 4, 2024 incident that occurred outside the Ghantaghar Deori of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

According to Sukhbir Singh Badal, he was engaged in performing sewa at the holy shrine when a “murderous attack” was made on him — an attempt that, he says, was thwarted only due to the timely intervention of his alert security team. However, instead of treating the incident with the gravity it deserves, Badal claims the police have been complicit in undermining the seriousness of the case.

“The investigation has been biased, unfair, and driven by ulterior political motives. This case deserves to be handed over to an independent and impartial agency,” stated Badal through his legal counsels, Advocates Arshdeep Singh and Arshdeep Singh Kler.

Key Allegations:

• Delay in FIR Registration: The FIR was reportedly lodged much after the incident, based on the statement of a person who was not even present at the scene.
• Badal’s Statement Ignored: Shockingly, the petitioner alleges that his own statement — as the main target — was never recorded.
• History-Sheeter Released: The accused, reportedly a known criminal with alleged terrorist links, was granted bail due to what Badal calls “investigative lapses.”
• CCTV Footage Ignored: According to the petition, available surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts point toward a wider conspiracy, but these angles have not been adequately pursued.

Sukhbir Singh Badal has requested the High Court to intervene and transfer the investigation to an independent agency — potentially the CBI or any other neutral body — to ensure a transparent and just probe.

“It appears the investigating officers are operating under political influence. The truth is being buried under deliberate distortions,” the petition claims.

Backdrop: A Police Force Under Pressure

The timing of the petition couldn’t be more crucial for Punjab Police, which is already facing criticism over its handling of the Col Prithipal Singh Bath murder case. That case too raised serious questions about political pressures and procedural lapses — and now, with Badal’s petition, the credibility of the state police is again under the microscope.

What’s Next?

The High Court is expected to take up the matter in the coming days. Political observers believe that the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications not just for the investigation, but also for the broader perception of law and order in Punjab.

Public Reactions

While Akali Dal supporters have rallied behind Badal, demanding justice and transparency, opposition voices accuse the former deputy CM of trying to gain political mileage. Nonetheless, the petition has sparked a renewed debate on the independence of law enforcement and the need for impartial investigations in politically sensitive cases.

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are now on the judiciary to ensure that truth prevails over political expediency.