Amritsar: A dramatic incident unfolded outside the “Ghanta Ghar Deorhri,” the entrance to the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar, when a shot was fired at Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal faction), on December 4, 2024.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, who had arrived to complete his Tankhah (penance) as directed by the Jathedars, was momentarily targeted by a person, later identified as Bhai Narien Singh Chaura.
According to multiple media reports, Bhai Narien Singh Chaura was seen pulling out a firearm from his belly area. In the video footage that surfaced on news media, Sukhbir Singh Badal’s companions reacted swiftly, rushing towards Bhai Narien Singh Chaura and pushing his hand upwards. During the altercation, the sound of a gunshot was heard, though no reports indicate that Sukhbir Singh Badal was harmed in the incident.
Following the incident, Bhai Narien Singh Chaura, who was linked to the Sikh militant struggle of 1980s-90s, was immediately apprehended at the scene. He has been involved in Panthic activism since the 1970s.
Sukhbir Singh Badal had been present at Darbar Sahib to offer his Tankhah after admitting his involvement in various alleged “Gunah” (sins) committed during his tenure in power under the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) government. His public confession and acceptance of the religious penance before the Akal Takht on December 2 had already sparked considerable debate and reaction from various political and religious quarters.
- This is a developing news story. More details were awaited at the time of reporting this news.