Delhi CM Rekha Gupta attacked: Accused posed as complainant at public meet, arrested for attempted murder

In Rajkot, Sakriya’s mother Bhanu Khimji Sakriya told reporters that her son was a dog lover and was upset over the Supreme Court order directing authorities in Delhi-NCR to pick up all stray dogs and put them in shelters.

“He went to Delhi on Sunday… When his father asked him his whereabouts, Rajesh said he had gone to Delhi for the dogs… His mind is like that. He will hit anyone. He has hit me and his wife as well. He has mental (issues) but is not on any medication. He got so angry upon learning about the dog issue that he almost broke the bed, hitting it in anger,” she said.

Delhi Police sources said Sakriya’s questioning and mobile phone records revealed that he was in Ujjain for prayers at a temple before coming to Delhi. “On reaching Delhi, he saw Gupta’s posters and watched a reel where she is talking about stray dogs. He then decided to attack her,” a senior police officer said.

Rajkot police officers said Sakriya had five cases registered against him between 2017 and 2024. These range from voluntarily causing hurt, drunken misconduct and criminal intimidation.

Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh and senior police officers rushed to the CM’s Camp Office soon after the incident.

DCP (North) Raja Banthia said the accused had been arrested. “A case under BNS sections 109 (1) (attempt to murder), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), and 221 (obstructing public servant) has been registered at Civil Lines police station. Further probe is on. We are investigating the case from all possible angles.”

Sakriya was questioned by the multiple security agencies and the Delhi Police.

The FIR has been registered on the complaint of an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) who is part of the CM’s security detail.

In his complaint, the ASI said, “Woh kuch bolne laga aur phir usne madam ki taraf hamla kiya aur unko gira diya. Is se madam ki jaan ko khatra ban gaya tha… sar ke bal gira diya (He was saying something after which he attacked the CM and she fell down. Her life was in danger, she fell headfirst).”

The ASI said that he, along with other staff members, apprehended the accused, following which the CM was taken inside the office. The FIR also stated that the accused was beaten by some present there.

In her first public statement after the attack, Gupta, in a post on X, said, “The attack on me during this morning’s public hearing was not just an attack on me, but a cowardly attempt to shake our resolve to serve Delhi and work for the welfare of the people. Naturally, I was in shock after this attack, but now I am feeling better. I request all my well-wishers not to trouble themselves by coming to meet me. I will soon be seen working among you again.”

“Such attacks can never break my spirit or my resolve to serve the people. Now, I will be among you with even more energy and dedication than before. Public hearings and the resolution of people’s problems will continue with the same seriousness and commitment as before. Your trust and support are my greatest strength,” she said.

A team of doctors also conducted the CM’s medical examination at her house. “A team of police officers also met her to ascertain the sequence of events. CCTV footage has been collected from the premises and statements of security personnel and others present in the office at the time of the incident will be recorded,” a senior police officer said.

According to the officer, photographs and videos recorded outside Gupta’s house and office have been recovered from Sakriya’s phone.

A CCTV video of Sakriya outside Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh home, meanwhile, shows him alighting from a rickshaw and looking around. In another CCTV video, he can be seen sitting in her office in Shalimar Bagh.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who met Gupta after the attack, said, “During the Jan Sunwai this morning, the CM was interacting with the public as usual when a man approached her, handed over some papers and suddenly caught her hand, attempting to pull her towards him. In the scuffle that followed, people overpowered him… The Chief Minister is in a state of shock. She has been examined by doctors and is currently stable.”

Gupta’s cabinet colleague, Kapil Mishra, said, “This was a very serious attack… The way the CM was thrown to the ground and an attack was attempted is horrifying… Videos of recce of the house have been found on his mobile… The way the attack was orchestrated indicates it was a conspiracy that could not have been hatched alone.”

Former CMs Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi condemned the incident.

“The attack on Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is highly condemnable. In a democracy, there is a place for disagreement and protest, but there is no place for violence. It is hoped that the Delhi Police will take the strictest action against the culprits. It is hoped that the Chief Minister is completely safe,” Atishi wrote on X.

This is not the first incident of a Delhi CM being attacked in public. In 2012, a slipper was thrown at Sheila Dikshit, allegedly by activists in North East Delhi. Kejriwal has been attacked in public several times. He was slapped twice during public rallies.