Narain Singh Chaura, the man accused of firing at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, has been granted bail by the Additional Sessions Judge of the Amritsar court. The incident took place on December 4, 2024, within the premises of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Narain Singh Chaura had been in jail for four months following the attack and was lodged in Ropar Jail. With the court’s order, he is set to be released soon.
Advocate Baljinder Singh, representing Narain Singh Chaura, confirmed the bail decision on Tuesday. He stated that the Additional Sessions Judge had approved Narain Singh Chaura’s bail plea, paving the way for his release. The accused had previously been in judicial custody since December 16, following his arrest in connection with the shooting.
The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal occurred while he was performing ‘seva’ (voluntary service) at the Golden Temple. The SAD leader was undertaking this religious act after being declared a ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht in August 2024. The religious authority had imposed a ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on Sukhbir Singh Badal for certain decisions taken during his tenure in the SAD-led Punjab government between 2007 and 2017. As part of his penance, Sukhbir Singh Badal sat at the entrance of the Golden Temple with a placard around his neck, signifying his atonement when the attack took place.
Following his arrest, Narain Singh Chaura’s links with radical organizations became a subject of intense scrutiny. Intelligence agencies had been monitoring him ever since his return from Pakistan. Sources indicate that he was under surveillance due to suspected extremist affiliations. His criminal background and previous stints in jails across Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur, further raised concerns.
Meanwhile, Narain Singh Chaura’s wife, Jasmeet Kaur, publicly condemned his actions. Speaking to reporters, she expressed shock and claimed she was unaware of his involvement until journalists approached her. She revealed that her husband had told her he was attending a death anniversary program in Amritsar on the day of the incident. “I don’t think what he did was right,” she remarked, distancing herself from his actions.
The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal had triggered political and religious debates, with many questioning the motive behind the act. With Narain Singh Chaura now granted bail, the case remains under scrutiny as authorities continue to investigate any deeper connections he may have had with radical outfits.
