Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple gate. Sukhbir Badal was serving his punishment by being a 'Sevadar' guard sitting outside the Golden Temple gate with a spear in his hand when a man named Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at him. Due to the timely intervention of Police officials and guards, Chaura missed his shot and Sukhbir Badal remained unhurt.
Due to the heavy media presence at the spot, the assassination attempt on Sukhbir Badal was caught on camera. Following that Sukhbir Badal assassination attempt video went viral. However, many social media users claimed that Sukhbir Badal's assassination attempt might have been staged. Users pointed out that the man standing near Badal was already waiting for Chaura and seeing him taking his pistol out, he grabbed his arms.
Now, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar while talking to the media confirmed that the Police are investigating three angles into Sukhbir Badal's murder plot including 'sympathy'. Below is what Amritsar CP Bhullar said-
"Narain Singh Chaura is an old criminal, he has been arrested. Investigations are underway. We have also taken possession of a 9mm pistol and all angles are being investigated. We are also trying to find out why he (Chaura) tried to do it, is there any organization behind it or is there any political reason? The third angle is sympathy. We have been continuously asked about the sympathy angle and whether he did all this for sympathy. We are also deeply investigating the sympathy angle."
"The investigation will be done transparently and everything will be shared in the coming times. We also watched the CCTVs carefully and tried to find out whether he was alone or had any partner with him."
What were the security arrangements at the Golden Temple for Sukhbir Badal?
Talking about the security arrangements at the Golden Temple, CP Gurpreet Bhullar said, "There was 3-tier security at the place. 1 SSP-level officer and AIG-level officer were in charge. 2 DSPs, 1 SP, and 175 personnel were deployed. Due to the religious sentiments involved, Police Personnel were preset there in civil dress and not in uniform. Sangat also objects to frisking. So, keeping everything in mind, Police personnel were deployed in civil dress. It was our personnel SI Jasbir Singh along with other personnel who overcame the shooter."