Clergy accepts penance as Sukhbir seeks pardon

AMRITSAR: Former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday offered prayers at the Akal Takht after completing a 10-day punishment, with Akali Dal leaders saying that the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs accepted his penance.

- Surjit Singh

Badal and other SAD leaders, who were handed out "tankhah" (religious punishment) by the five high-priests led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on December 2, paid obeisance at the highest temporal seat after undergoing 10-day atonement.

Heavy security arrangements were made at the Golden Temple complex, especially in light of an assassination attempt on Badal by former militant Narain Singh Chaura on December 4, with personnel of Punjab police as well as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) standing guard both inside and outside the complex as the wheelchair-borne Badal – the former deputy CM has fractured a foot – arrived at the shrine, people familiar with the matter said.