New Delhi, August 20: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked on Wednesday by a 41-year-old man from Gujarat during a public hearing at her Civil Lines office, police said, in an incident that triggered widespread political condemnation.
The assailant, identified as Rajesh Bhai Kimji Bhai Sakariya, posed as a complainant before attempting to heckle Gupta while handing over some papers. Security personnel quickly subdued him, a senior Delhi Police officer said.
Police said Sakariya, an autorickshaw driver from Rajkot, appeared to have travelled to Delhi to protest a Supreme Court order on relocating stray dogs. His mother told reporters that he was not affiliated with any political party but was deeply attached to animals and had expressed anger over the court directive.
A case of attempted murder and other offences was registered at the Civil Lines police station, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said, adding that the attack was being probed “from all possible angles.” CCTV footage indicated the suspect had scouted Gupta’s residence a day earlier.
Calling the assault a “cowardly attack on my resolve to serve Delhi,” Gupta said she remained undeterred in her commitment to public service.
The incident drew sharp reactions across party lines. Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma called it “a direct assault on democratic values.” The Congress party questioned the city’s law and order situation, while AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Leader of Opposition Atishi said disagreements must never translate into violence.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva denied reports that the chief minister had been slapped or struck with a stone, saying instead that the assailant jostled Gupta, leaving her with a minor blow to the head. Senior police officials, including Commissioner S.B.K. Singh, visited the chief minister’s office shortly after the incident.
