Delhi CM Rekha Gupta’s attacker conducted ‘recce’ of her house, handed her court papers

Rekha Gupta

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a ‘Jan Sunvai’ programme at her camp office in Civil Lines on Wednesday morning. The accused, identified as Rajesh Sakriya, has been detained and further inquiry is underway.

The accused, a mid-aged man from Rajkot, reportedly handed her some court papers and then suddenly shouted, hurled abuses and tried to slap her.

According to sources cited by CNN-News18, the attacker even tried to scuffle with the chief minister before security personnel interrupted and restrained him.

Delhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh informed that the accused had conducted a recce of her residence for the past 24 hours and was plotting to meet the chief minister. He stated that the accused spent the night near her residence and attacked her during the public meeting.

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear so far, it has been learnt that nine police cases registered against him at a single police station – mostly for drunken misconduct, apart from criminal intimidation and assault, The Indian Express reported.

His mother, Bhanu, told the media that her son is a “dog lover” and was upset over the Supreme Court’s recent decision to round up stray dogs in Delhi-NCR and move them to shelters.

Several reports also suggest that the accused went to the chief minister seeking help after his relative was arrested. "He loves dogs, cows and birds. That is why he was upset after the SC said all the stray dogs in Delhi should be captured. He went to Haridwar a few days back and then told us over phone that he will go to Delhi to participate in protests in support of dogs," Rajesh’s mother said.

"That's all he told us over the phone when we asked when he would return," she added.

#WATCH | CCTV visuals of the individual, identifying himself as Rajesh Khimji, as he did a recce of Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's Shalimar Bagh residence on 19th August. The man has been nabbed by the Police after he attacked the CM today during Jan Sunvai. (Video Source: Delhi CMO) pic.twitter.com/qQ3fecQGc1

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2025

An eyewitness named Anjali, who was among those gathered at the spot, told ANI that the incident was deeply disturbing. “This is wrong. Everyone has the right to be heard at a Jan Sunvai. If someone can pose as a visitor and end up slapping her, it’s a big concern. I was there, the person was talking and suddenly he slapped. The police immediately took him away," she said.

A senior officer told ANI that CM Gupta is stable and has been examined by doctors. “She may have suffered a minor blow to the head. The claims about slapping or stone-throwing are exaggerated. Such incidents in politics are unfortunate, but Jan Sunvai will continue. The CM is resting but has insisted that her programmes will not be cancelled," the officer said.

Leaders across party lines condemned the attack, while also questioning the police over the issue of women's safety in the national capital.

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal stressed that in a democratic system, differences of opinion and opposition are acceptable, but there can be no place for violence.

"I am confident that Delhi Police will take appropriate action. I hope the chief minister remains completely safe and healthy," he said in a post on X in Hindi. Condemning the attack on her successor, Atishi echoed similar views as the AAP supremo.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav criticised the attack and called it extremely sad. "It is condemnable that the chief minister was attacked. This also exposes the fact that women are not safe in Delhi. People come here for safety. The police should wake up and address the issue of women's safety," he added.