Harsimrat Kaur Badal seeks NIA probe into Aug 13 attack, writes to Amit Shah

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the wife of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a probe into the August 13 attack by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The former Union minister’s letter is believed to emphasise the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident.

The attack, which reportedly took place on August 13, has not been officially described in detail by authorities. However, Badal’s letter, a copy of which has been seen by media, reportedly raises questions about the adequacy of the existing investigation and requests the central agency to take over the case.

Badal, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Bathinda and a prominent face of the SAD, is known for her active role in the party. Her husband, Sukhbir Badal, served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and has been at the helm of the SAD for over a decade. The party, once a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, has been in opposition in Punjab since the 2022 assembly elections.

In her communication to Amit Shah, Badal is said to have pointed out that the incident could have wider security implications and, therefore, needed to be investigated by a central agency with specialised expertise. The NIA is tasked with probing offences related to terrorism, militancy, and other matters of national security. While any such request is not unprecedented, it marks a significant step by the SAD leadership to elevate the issue to the national level.

Political observers note that the demand for an NIA inquiry comes at a time when Punjab has witnessed several stray incidents of violence and security concerns. The state has been on alert for various reasons, including cross-border terrorism. However, there is no official confirmation that the August 13 attack is linked to any such threat.

The SAD has consistently demanded that the truth behind the incident be brought out transparently. Party leaders have accused the state government of not taking the matter seriously, a charge that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has denied. The request to the Union Home Minister, however, bypasses the state administration, underscoring the trust deficit between the Akali leadership and the current Punjab government.

The Union Home Ministry has not yet said whether it would entertain the request. Typically, the NIA can take over a case either on the direction of the central government upon a recommendation from states or on its own, if it deems the matter to be of national significance. Whether this case meets that threshold remains to be seen.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who served as Union Minister for Food Processing Industries in the NDA government until 2020, has not publicly commented on the letter. Her office confirmed that the letter was dispatched to the Home Minister’s office in New Delhi.

The development is likely to add to the political discourse in Punjab, where all parties have been asserting their commitment to law and order. For now, the spotlight remains on the Union government’s response, as well as on the state police’s handling of the case. The NIA has previously investigated several cases in Punjab, including those related to terror modules and cross-border smuggling. The agency’s involvement in this case could bring a fresh perspective to the investigation and help in taking the case to its logical conclusion, the letter is believed to state.