On August 20, 2025, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly assaulted during her weekly "Jan Sunwai" (public grievance hearing) programme at her official residence in Civil Lines, Delhi. The incident occurred around 8:05 to 8:30 AM IST, when a man, identified as 41-year-old Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakariya from Rajkot, Gujarat, approached the Chief Minister under the pretense of submitting a complaint. According to multiple sources, the assailant handed over court-related documents, began shouting, and then physically attacked Gupta by slapping her, pulling her hair, and possibly attempting to pull her by the hand. Some reports also mention an attempt to throw a heavy object or stone, which may have caused a commotion during which Gupta suffered a light blow to the head, though conflicting accounts suggest she may have hit her head during a scuffle.
Key Details of the Incident:
Nature of the Attack: The assailant, posing as a complainant, handed Gupta papers related to a court case, reportedly concerning the release of a jailed relative. After presenting the documents, he verbally abused her with expletives, slapped her, and pulled her hair, causing a chaotic scene. Eyewitnesses described the attack as sudden and premeditated, with one attendee, Anjali, stating, “The person was speaking and he suddenly slapped her.” Another witness, Suresh Khandelwal, noted that the attacker appeared to be looking for an opportunity to strike
Injury and Medical Condition: Initial reports from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed Gupta suffered a head injury, possibly from hitting a corner during the scuffle or from a thrown object. However, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva clarified that stories of her being slapped or hit by a stone were exaggerated, stating she received a “light blow to the head.” Doctors examined Gupta at her residence, and she was later taken to a hospital for a medical check-up. She was reported to be stable but in shock. Sachdeva emphasized her resilience, noting she had no plans to cancel her public engagements
Suspect Details: The attacker, Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakariya, aged 41, was immediately apprehended by Gupta’s security personnel and taken to the Civil Lines Police Station for interrogation. He is a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat, and preliminary investigations suggest he traveled to Delhi seeking the release of a relative in jail, with the matter pending in court. His mother, questioned by Rajkot police, claimed he was mentally ill and an animal lover, mentioning a recent verdict related to stray dogs as a possible trigger for his travel to Delhi. The Delhi Police are verifying his identity and background with assistance from the Gujarat Police, and no political affiliations have been confirmed
The Delhi Police, led by Commissioner S.B.K. Singh, are investigating the motive behind the attack. They are analyzing CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events, and the accused is being questioned to determine whether the assault was premeditated or linked to any political motives. Court-related documents found in Sakariya’s possession are also under scrutiny