Attacker Who Attacked Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Says, He Wanted His Relative Release From Jail

In a shocking security breach, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked by a man during her weekly public hearing (Jan Sunwai) at her official residence on Wednesday. The assailant, identified as 41-year-old Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya from Rajkot, Gujarat, was immediately overpowered and taken into custody. Preliminary police interrogation suggests his motive was linked to seeking the release of a jailed relative.

The incident unfolded when Sakariya, posing as a petitioner, approached the Chief Minister, handed her some documents, and then suddenly lunged at her. While some eyewitnesses claimed he slapped Gupta, the BJP has contested this account.

Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva clarified that the attacker tried to pull the Chief Minister by her hand, leading to a scuffle in which her head may have hit a corner of a table. He explicitly denied that she was slapped or hit with a stone. Police are conducting a detailed interrogation and have contacted Gujarat Police to verify the attacker’s background.

The assault triggered a political firestorm, with condemnations pouring in from across the party spectrum. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called it a “conspiracy by rivals,” suggesting they “cannot tolerate that a CM remains amid the public.” Another minister, Kapil Mishra, described the attack as an “unforgivable crime” by “cowards.” Opposition leaders also condemned the violence.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav called the incident “very unfortunate” and used it to highlight broader concerns about women’s safety in the capital. Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi said that while democracy allows for protest, “there is no place for violence,” and urged police to take the strictest action.

Doctors have confirmed that Chief Minister Gupta is stable but in shock following the ordeal. Despite this, Sachdeva said she remains a “strong woman with a clear commitment to Delhi” and is determined to continue her daily work and public hearings. The incident has raised serious questions about the security arrangements for the Chief Minister, who is protected by a Z-plus security detail. Visitors to her residence are meant to undergo strict screening, and the breach has put the protocols under intense scrutiny.