Man who slapped Delhi CM Rekha Gupta arrested under attempt to murder charges

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".

The accused, Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, a 41-year-old resident of Rajkot (Gujarat), was detained, and is being jointly interrogated by IB and Delhi Police's Special Cell, according to a senior police officer. The attack took place around 8.15 am, he said.

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said that the chief minister has sustained injuries to her hand, shoulder and head.

A senior police official, who is privy to the probe, said that it was a serious attack, adding that it could have been life threatening.

"We are doing a joint interrogation with the IB, Special Cell and intelligence agencies. He had five criminal cases, including two assault cases involving knife attack and three under Excise Act," the official told PTI.

He said that police have not charged him conspiracy yet. The accused 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 attempt to murder charges in connection with the attack.

A case under section 109(1) [attempt to murder] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been lodged at the Civil Lines police station, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said in a statement.

He has also been booked for allegedly assaulting and obstructing public servant from discharging his duty.

Sources said that Khimjibhai came to Delhi two days ago and stayed in north Delhi's Civil Lines.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said this is not an ordinary attack, adding that the attacker tried to "push the chief minister down on the ground and beat her".

"Such an attack on anyone, that too on a woman chief minister, who is dedicated to public work round the clock, was unheard of in Delhi," Mishra told reporters.

The chief minister has been attended by doctors and is currently under observation. She underwent MLC (medico legal case) examination, CMO officials said.

Official sources said that the attack on CM Gupta was part of a ''well-planned conspiracy", citing CCTV footage from her residence in Shalimar Bagh.

They said the footage clearly shows that the assailant had begun preparations for the attack at least 24 hours in advance. The CCTV captured him during a visit to the CM's residence on Wednesday.

The video captures the accused conducting a recce of the premises, recording visuals of the chief minister's residence, and later attempting to carry out the assault. In the footage, he is seen talking to someone over the phone during his visit a day earlier.

The CCTV footage has been handed over to the police, who are carrying out a detailed investigation into the incident, sources said.

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.

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.

Police sources said that two videos of 'Jan Sunwai' from the mobile phone of the accused were allegedly recovered.

"So far we have learnt that the accused was recording videos of 'Jan Sunwai', including one from the chief minister's residence in Shalimar Bagh as well as her Camp Office.

"He was planning this attack and today when he got the opportunity, he attacked the CM," said a police source.

The source further said that Khimjibhai allegedly conducted recce of the entire area and was watching the proceedings of 'Jan Sunwai' to understand about 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.

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.

An eyewitness, who was present at 'Jan Sunwai', said, "We all were sitting. A person whose turn came sat with the CM... he was speaking with the CM and suddenly he attacked her. We heard a loud sound. And immediately the police detained the person."

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.

दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री रेखा गुप्ता पर हुआ हमला बेहद निंदनीय है। लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था में विचारों का मतभेद और विरोध स्वीकार्य है, लेकिन हिंसा के लिए कोई स्थान नहीं हो सकता।

मुझे विश्वास है कि दिल्ली पुलिस उचित कार्रवाई करेगी। आशा है कि मुख्यमंत्री पूरी तरह सुरक्षित और स्वस्थ हों।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 20, 2025