Sukhbir Badal Taken into Custody en Route to Mohali Court. Photo Credit: The Tribune
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was taken into preventive custody by Punjab Police in Mohali today while attempting to march to the district court to support party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is facing a disproportionate assets case. Badal and hundreds of Akali supporters were detained near Gurdwara Amb Sahib, triggering tension between the SAD and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government, reported The Tribune.
Incident at Gurdwara Amb Sahib
As the procession approached Gurdwara Amb Sahib, police intercepted the convoy and detained both Badal and his supporters, escorting them to Phase 11 police station. More senior Akali leaders, including Alwinder Pal Singh Pakhoke, were taken into custody at nearby locations. Across Punjab, several SAD workers were placed under preventive detention at their homes or intercepted at checkpoints.
Badal’s Allegations of Democratic Suppression
Badal accused the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government of imposing an “undeclared emergency” in the state and of abusing state machinery to silence the opposition. He criticized the incident, questioning whether even a devotee was allowed to visit a gurdwara, and vowed that the Akali Dal would persist in its struggle.
Political Context and Reactions
Punjab Minister Aman Arora dismissed SAD claims, suggesting that the party had scant support and even mocked the party, saying “Akali Dal has become Khali Dal.” The arrest comes ahead of Majithia’s court appearance at the end of his seven-day vigilance remand. Heavy police presence around the court and the Vigilance Bureau office in Mohali has intensified security during this politically charged period.
Wider Implications
The preventive detentions highlight the deepening political crackdown taking place in Punjab. Sukhbir Badal’s arrest underlines rising tensions between the SAD and the AAP government, with critics accusing authorities of suppressing democratic rights ahead of judicial proceedings.
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