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Upset over SC order on stray dogs? Man who 'attacked' Delhi CM Rekha Gupta did 'recce' of her home; how the incident unfolded

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
20th August, 2025 10:39 IST
NEW DELHI: Eyewitnesses to the alleged attack on Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta during her weekly Jan Sunwai on Wednesday said the accused suddenly grabbed her hand and attempted to pull her, triggering chaos at the Civil Lines residence. Several attendees condemned the incident as “shameful,” with some even claiming the CM was “slapped.”

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva termed the episode a serious breach of security. “During Jan Sunwai, the CM was listening to grievances of people. A man came forward and tried to hand over some document to the CM. He suddenly grabbed the CM's hand and tried to pull her... there was commotion at the place. The person was nabbed by people present at the spot," Sachdeva said.


“The police is investigating about the background of the person. The CM is stable; doctors have examined her. She is in a shock... the CM is a strong woman. She said she is committed to continue her work,” he added.

What accused's mother said

The mother of a accused Gujarat man, Bhanuben, claimed that her son was not affiliated to any political party and had gone to the national capital to protest against the Supreme Court's order on stray dogs.

Later talking to reporters, Bhanuben claimed her son, who is an auto-rickshaw driver, was not affiliated to any political party.

She further claimed her son is an animal lover, who went to Delhi to take part in a protest against the recent Supreme Court order to relocate all stray dogs from streets of the national capital to shelters.



"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," she said.

"That's all he told us over the phone when we asked when he would return," Bhanuben said

What Delhi CMO said

According to the Delhi CMO, the assailant was caught immediately and handed over to police. “The accused has been nabbed by Delhi Police and is being questioned,” the office said. Gupta was later taken to hospital for a medical check-up.

Police identified the accused as Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakriya, 41, who claimed to be a resident of Rajkot. His antecedents are being verified with the help of Gujarat Police.

Allegations of prior recceDelhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh alleged that the accused had been surveying the CM’s movements. “So far we have come to know that the individual was doing a recce for the last 24 hours. He did recce at her Shalimar Bagh residence too yesterday...She has injuries in her hand, shoulder and head. Doctor is examining her..."



"Delhi has received a CM who has been conducting jan sunvai at her residence every day. 1000-2000 people used to come to her every day from across the Delhi-NCR...What happened today is highly condemnable. We met the CM, she was injured. Her MLC is being done...So far we have come to know that the individual was doing a recce for the last 24 hours, as to how he can meet the CM. He did recce at her Shalimar Bagh residence too yesterday. He stayed the night in Civil Lines area itself. When he came in today, he had no paper in his hand. He met her and immediately attacked her...She has injuries in her hand, shoulder and head. Doctor is examining her...When he attacked the CM, he didn't let go of her immediately; he grabbed her hair. Police and the people around tried to make him let her go. The man is said to be around 40 years of age."

CCTV footage shows the accused conducting a recce at Delhi CM Rekha Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh home on 19 August.




Eyewitness accounts of panic

One attendee told PTI, “She (Rekha Gupta) was listening to the programme when the incident happened. We heard noise coming from behind, and by the time we turned around, the police had taken the attacker away. So yes, the attack did happen, and Rekha ji was completely in shock.”


Another attendee, Shailendra Kumar, said, “I had come from Uttam Nagar with a complaint over sewer. When I reached the gates, chaos broke out because the CM was slapped. This is wrong...”


A third participant recalled, “I was there for the Jan Sunwai, and suddenly there was chaos. Suddenly there was an attack on the CM, the attacker seemed to have been prepared. This is a very shameful act.”



Political parties react

Former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the incident. “The attack on Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is utterly deplorable. In a democratic system, differences of opinion and opposition are acceptable, but there can be no place for violence. I am confident that the Delhi Police will take appropriate action. I hope the Chief Minister is completely safe and well.”


Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav also said, “This is very unfortunate. If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or woman be safe?”

Neighbour speaks on accused

Back in Rajkot, a neighbour of the accused described him as quiet and cordial. “We never had any problems with him and he was cordial with everyone here. He would come, have food at his house and leave. He worked in a temple and seemed like a nice, normal man,” the neighbour said.

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