On Wednesday morning, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly attacked during a "Jan Sunvai" (public hearing) program at her residence in Civil Lines. The assailant, identified as 41-year-old Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya from Rajkot, Gujarat, has been taken into custody.
The incident occurred while Gupta was addressing public grievances at her residence. According to reports, Sakariya approached the Chief Minister, posing as a complainant. He handed her some papers, believed to be court documents, before allegedly shouting, yelling, and then slapping her. Some reports also indicate that he attempted to pull her hair.
Eyewitnesses and sources within the BJP stated that the attacker was around 35 to 40 years old. Security personnel immediately intervened, overpowering Sakariya and detaining him. Senior police officers, including the Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh, arrived at the scene shortly after the assault. Sakariya is currently being held at the Civil Lines police station, where he is being interrogated to determine his motives.
Following the attack, Gupta was reportedly in a state of shock. A team of doctors arrived at her residence to conduct a medical examination, and sources indicated she was undergoing treatment. While Gupta did not sustain any major injuries, the incident has been described as a "serious physical assault".
The attack has been widely condemned across the political spectrum. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva "strongly condemned the attack" and demanded accountability. Senior AAP leader Atishi posted on X, stating, "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". She expressed hope that the Delhi Police would take the strictest action against the culprit and ensure the Chief Minister's safety. Similarly, Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav condemned the attack, highlighting concerns about women's safety in Delhi.
The "Jan Sunvai" is a weekly public hearing where citizens can bring their grievances directly to the Chief Minister. The attack raises concerns about security protocols during such public events and the safety of public officials.
Police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive behind the attack. Preliminary interrogations revealed that Sakariya is a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat. It has been reported that the accused posed as a complainant to gain access to the Chief Minister during the public hearing.
