New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a ‘Jan Sunwai’ programme at her camp office in Civil Lines on Wednesday morning, her office said, terming the assault part of a “well-planned conspiracy to kill her.” She sustained injuries to her hand, shoulder and head.
The accused has been identified as Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, a 41-year-old resident of Rajkot from Gujarat. He was not carrying any weapon because he knew that there would be strict checking. He was carrying a bag containing clothes and some papers.
Police have registered an FIR under section 109(1) [attempt to murder] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He has also been booked for allegedly assaulting and obstructing public servant from discharging his duty.
Two videos of ‘Jan Sunwai’ from the mobile phone of the accused were allegedly recovered. “He was planning this attack, and today, when he got the opportunity, he attacked the CM,” said a police source.
The source said that Khimjibhai allegedly conducted a recce of the entire area and was watching the proceedings of ‘Jan Sunwai’ to understand the security drill of the CM and to find out an opportunity for attack.
The accused went to her camp office disguised as a complainant for the addressal of his grievances.
Accused upset with SC stray dog ruling
Meanwhile, Bhanuben Sakaria, mother of the accused, claimed in Rajkot that her son was not affiliated to any political party and had gone to the national capital to take part in a protest against the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs. She also claimed her son is a “dog lover.”
“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,” she said, adding that he went to Haridwar a few days back and told her over phone that he would go to Delhi to participate in protests against the Supreme Court’s order.
“That’s all he told us over the phone when we asked when he would return,” Bhanuben said.
Delhi CM security to be reviewed
Police sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to review the security arrangements of CM Gupta after a detailed report of the incident is submitted by the police.
CM Gupta was accorded ‘Z’ category security by Delhi Police. This is as per security guidelines of the MHA outlined in the ‘Yellow Book’, which details protection protocols for VIPs and VVIPs.
Delhi CM doing well: BJP
Talking to reporters after meeting the CM, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that CM Gupta is “shaken”, but she is doing fine.
“During ‘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… His identity and other details are being investigated by the police,” he added.
AAP condemns attack
AAP leader Atishi also condemned the incident and hoped the chief minister was safe and the police will take strong action against the guilty.
Former Delhi chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi condemned the attack on Gupta.
AAP national convener 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.
AAP national convener 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.
(The copy has been updated with the latest information on the arrest of the accused from agencies)
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