Day after setback in Col Bath case, Punjab Police functioning comes under scanner in attack on Sukhbir Badal

Former deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging bias and political interference in the investigation into an alleged "murderous attack" on him outside Ghantaghar Deori of the Golden Temple, Amritsar, on December 4, 2024.

Badal contended that he was performing “sewa” when he was attacked, but the attempt was foiled by the alertness of his security personnel.

“However, the investigation into the attack has been biased, unfair, and marred by ulterior motives, necessitating the transfer of the case to an independent agency.”

In his petition, filed through advocates Arshdeep Singh and Arshdeep Singh Kler, Badal asserted that the investigating agency had deliberately attempted to dilute the gravity of the crime by misrepresenting facts in the FIR and final report.

“The FIR was registered after an inordinate delay on the statement of a person who was not an eyewitness. The petitioner’s own statement was never recorded, demonstrating the intentional misdirection of the investigation. The accused, a known history-sheeter and alleged terrorist, has been granted bail due to investigative lapses,” he contended.

Badal further submitted that CCTV footage and witness statements suggested a deep-rooted conspiracy involving additional individuals who had not been adequately investigated.

“The Investigating Agency appears to be acting under political influence, compromising the fairness of the probe. In light of the evident lapses, bias, and political interference in the investigation, the petitioner urgently seeks this court’s intervention to transfer the case to an independent agency, ensuring a fair and just inquiry,” he argued.