New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked on Wednesday morning during a public hearing at her residence, triggering a political storm and raising questions over her security.
The attacker has been identified as Rajesh Sakriya (41), a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat. According to Delhi Police sources, Sakriya approached the Chief Minister during the ‘Jansunwai’ meeting with some documents, but soon began shouting and then physically assaulted her. He was overpowered immediately by security personnel and taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses said Sakriya appeared agitated and possibly under the influence of alcohol, though this has not been officially confirmed. His mother, Bhanu, told the media that her son was a dog lover and was upset over the Supreme Court’s recent order to shift stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. Other accounts suggest he had sought the Chief Minister’s intervention in a case involving his jailed relative.
The Chief Minister was taken to hospital for a medical check-up and is reported to be out of danger.
The incident quickly escalated into a political row. BJP leader and Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged a “political conspiracy,” claiming Ms. Gupta’s rivals could not tolerate her work on the ground.
The opposition parties, however, condemned the violence. Former Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, himself a victim of similar attacks in the past, said:
“In a democracy, differences of opinion are acceptable, but there can be no place for violence. I hope the Chief Minister is safe and Delhi Police takes strict action.”
AAP leader Atishi, now Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, echoed this view, calling the assault “highly condemnable.”
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav also condemned the attack but added a sharp remark:
“If the Chief Minister of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or woman feel secure?”
Following the incident, Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh ordered an internal inquiry into the security breach. A special committee has been formed to probe Sakriya’s motives, with coordination from Gujarat Police to verify his background.
With the attacker in custody and investigations underway, the assault has raised serious security and political concerns in the national capital.
