Sukhbir Badal Demands Transfer of Attack Probe to CBI or NIA, Cites Bias

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and ex-President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking the transfer of the investigation into the alleged attack on him to a neutral central agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA) accusing Punjab police of bias.

Attack Near Golden Temple

The alleged attack took place on December 4, 2024, near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Although Badal escaped unharmed, he has raised serious concerns about the fairness of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Punjab Police. Badal claims the probe is “politically motivated, biased, and aimed at protecting the accused.”

High Court 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 has directed the state to respond to Badal’s petition by April 30.

Legal Counsel Alleges Negligence

Badal’s legal counsel pointed out that the Punjab Police had failed to record Badal’s statement, even months after the incident. This omission, the counsel argued, indicates a lack of seriousness in the investigation. In its response, the Punjab Government assured the court that it would record Badal’s statement on the same day.

Grounds for Transfer Request

Badal’s petition highlighted several issues with the current investigation, including:

Delayed FIR Registration: The FIR was filed only 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 evidence was allegedly overlooked in the investigation.

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 Background

Badal also expressed strong objections to the bail granted to the main accused, Narain Singh Chaura, a known history-sheeter who had previously attempted to kill Badal in 2013. Badal alleges that the accused is being protected and that the investigation has been manipulated to minimize the severity of the attack.

Alleged Conspiracy and CCTV Footage

The petition suggests that there is a larger conspiracy involving other individuals who have not been thoroughly investigated. CCTV footage reportedly shows Chaura conducting reconnaissance with a co-accused, and a police officer was allegedly seen in a secretive meeting with the accused, further raising doubts about the integrity of the investigation.

Demand for Central Agency’s Intervention

Badal has strongly urged the court to transfer the case to a central investigative agency like the CBI or NIA, stressing that only an impartial, high-level investigation can uncover the truth and ensure justice, especially given the accused’s criminal background and the political nature of the case.