SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal flies to Delhi following discharge from Nanded hospital

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was injured in a 'kirpan' attack inside a gurdwara and had to undergo surgery, was discharged from a hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded town on Friday, following which he flew to Delhi, officials said.

Badal was attacked by a member of the Nihang order inside the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat on the outskirts of Nanded town on Thursday. After the attack, he was admitted to Yashosai Hospital here.

The former Punjab deputy chief minister was discharged from the hospital around 1.30 pm and then headed directly to the Nanded airport, a police official told PTI.


He took a flight to Delhi and reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital in the evening, he said.

Badal underwent surgery that lasted for about 90 minutes.

A doctor from the hospital earlier said, "The surgery lasted for an hour and a half. There was a tendon injury, and he had a sharp penetrating wound. His tendon was repaired. The plastic surgeon also repaired his ulnar artery nerve. He is out of danger." According to police, they are yet to find out why the accused, Jaspal Singh, attacked Badal.

Singh, who holds commerce and law degrees and is based in Pune with his family, had been working as a sewadar or volunteer at the gurdwara for the past two years. The accused, aged 60-62 years, was staying alone in Nanded.

He has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant to deter them from performing their duty.