Chaos marked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's first public appearance since being attacked at her residence on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The incident occurred at an event in Delhi's Gandhinagar, where a man began shouting slogans against the Chief Minister following an argument with traders. Police immediately removed the individual from the venue.
The disruption raises concerns about security surrounding the Chief Minister, especially in the wake of the recent attack at her residence. During a weekly public hearing (Jan Sunwai) at her residence, a man assaulted Gupta. The attacker, identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji Sakariya, 41, from Rajkot, Gujarat, was taken into custody, and an attempt to murder case was filed against him.
Eyewitness accounts and sources indicate that Sakariya arrived at the Chief Minister's camp office in a rickshaw, posing as a complainant seeking the release of a relative in jail. He handed Gupta some papers before shouting and then allegedly slapping and pushing her. He also grabbed her hair before security intervened.
A day before the attack, Sakariya had visited Gupta's private residence in Shalimar Bagh. Denied access to the Chief Minister, he was given details about the public hearing and the Civil Lines address. CCTV footage from the Shalimar Bagh residence revealed Sakariya conducting a recce of the premises. The footage, now part of the police investigation, shows him closely tracking Gupta's movements.
Following the attack, the Ministry of Home Affairs upgraded Gupta's security to 'Z'-category, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) taking over her protection. A team of 25 armed CRPF commandos will provide round-the-clock security. The CRPF will manage access to her residence, deploy security equipment, and provide close protection with male and female personal security officers during public appearances.
Gupta, while initially shocked by the attack, asserted that it was a "cowardly attempt" on the resolve to serve Delhi and that such acts would not break her spirit. She affirmed her commitment to serving the people of Delhi with renewed dedication. Despite the incident, Gupta intends to continue holding public hearings, not only at her camp office but also in every Assembly seat in Delhi.
The Delhi Police have registered a case of attempt to murder against Sakariya under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He has been remanded to five days in police custody. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Special Cell team interrogated him. Police are investigating the possibility of a planned attack, supported by the CCTV footage showing Sakariya's reconnaissance activities. The accused was taken to Rajkot, his hometown, and the crime scene was recreated at the Chief Minister's camp office.
