CM Rekha Gupta's security shifted to Delhi Police, second accused arrested in attack case: Report

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

Following the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been withdrawn from the CM’s security detail and the responsibility has been given back to the Delhi Police, News18 reported.

The Delhi Police on Sunday said they have arrested another accused in connection with the attack on CM Gupta at her Civil Lines residence last week. It is reported that the person taken into custody is a friend of Rajkot resident Rajesh Khimji, who had attacked the CM on Wednesday.

According to CNN-News18 source, following the attack, the CRPF was tasked with taking over the CM’s security under a Z-category cover and the transition from Delhi Police to CRPF was already underway.

It is reported that the transition was expected to be completed within hours. However, the decision was later reversed, with Delhi Police regaining charge of the CM’s security, the report said. Officials confirmed area-specific arrangement and additional deployment layers to ensure round-the-clock protection.

On 20 August, Gupta was attacked by Rajeshbhai Khimji, a 41-year-old man from Rajkot, during a ‘Jan Sunwai’ session at her camp office. The accused was arrested, and a case under various charges, including attempt to murder, was registered against him. He remained in custody for five days. Gupta stayed put at her official residence in Civil Lines since then.

Earlier this week another friend of Khimji who allegedly transferred money to him was detained and police are probing whether the attack was planned or if others were involved.

According to the report, citing sources, the accused breached the queue and approached Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta with the documents he was carrying. He first slapped the CM after which she stumbled against a wall. It is reported, he grabbed her by the hair before being overpowered by Gupta’s security personnel and others present at the spot.

Police had said they were tracking at least ten people who had been in contact with Khimji through calls and messages and recording statements from five individuals in Rajkot whose details were recovered from Khimji’s mobile phone.