Badal attack: Accused blamed SAD govt for Punjab drug crisis, says police

Synopsis

The individual accused of attacking Sukhbir Singh Badal has placed the blame on the escalating drug crisis in Punjab, asserting that the former SAD government did little to resolve the issue. Investigators are currently examining his statements to uncover the true motive behind the assault. At this time, there's no evidence linking the incident to extremist factions.

Mumbai: The accused in the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded was allegedly angered by the drug menace in Punjab and blamed the previous SAD government for failing to tackle the problem, police said. Authorities have so far not established any connection between him and a banned organisation or an organised extremist group.

Jaspal Singh (62) allegedly told the police that the SAD administration had turned a blind eye to drug trafficking, leaving thousands of youngsters affected by drug abuse. Police are examining his claims and statements to establish the exact motive behind the attack and whether anyone else was involved. Singh was produced before a local court in Nanded on Friday for custody. "Initially he said he was angry about the drugs (problem) in Punjab. But the exact reason for the attack will come out only after a detailed investigation. We have also not come across any gang connection or criminal background of the attacker," Nanded superintendent of police Neelabh Rohan said.

According to people familiar with the matter, Singh also spoke about "their government" being in power and failing to win the public's trust, suggesting that a political grievance may have been another factor behind the attack.

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and central investigating agencies questioned Singh till late Thursday night. Badal was attacked at around 1.50 pm on Thursday as he was leaving Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded. A police sub-inspector from the Special Protection Unit shielded Badal during the incident. Both sustained minor injuries.