Incident Overview

On the morning of August 20, 2025, at approximately 8:30 AM IST, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was assaulted during her weekly Jan Sunwai (public hearing) session at her official residence in Civil Lines, North Delhi. The assailant, identified as Rajesh Khimji Bhai Sakariya, a 41-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Rajkot, Gujarat, allegedly slapped the Chief Minister and pulled her hair before being subdued by security personnel and attendees. The attack, which lasted approximately 80 seconds, has raised serious concerns about security arrangements for high-profile public officials in the national capital and sparked widespread political condemnation.

Details of the Attack

The Jan Sunwai program, held weekly at the Chief Minister’s residence, allows citizens to present grievances directly to Gupta. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, Sakariya approached the Chief Minister under the pretense of submitting a petition, reportedly related to a relative incarcerated in Tihar Jail. He handed her some documents, which appeared to be court-related, before suddenly becoming aggressive. Eyewitnesses reported that Sakariya shouted expletives, slapped Gupta, and pulled her hair, causing her to stumble against a wall. The Chief Minister sustained minor injuries, including a light blow to the head and hand, but was reported stable after medical examination at a nearby hospital.

Security personnel and other attendees quickly intervened, overpowering Sakariya and handing him over to the Delhi Police. The incident was described as premeditated by the Chief Minister’s Office, with CCTV footage later revealing that Sakariya had conducted a reconnaissance of Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh residence on August 19, spending the night in the Civil Lines area to observe the surroundings.

Motive Behind the Attack

Preliminary investigations and statements from Sakariya’s family suggest that the attacker’s actions were partly motivated by his distress over a recent Supreme Court order mandating the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. Sakariya’s mother, Bhanuben Sakariya, told authorities that her son, an avid animal lover, was deeply upset by the court’s directive, which he perceived as harmful to stray dogs. She described him as mentally unstable, noting that he had a history of violent behavior, including assaulting family members, and had not sought treatment for his mental health issues. Bhanuben also mentioned that Sakariya was a devotee of Mahadev and had initially told his family he was traveling to Ujjain before heading to Delhi to protest the stray dog ruling.

Additionally, Sakariya’s petition at the Jan Sunwai was reportedly related to securing the release of a relative from Tihar Jail, a matter pending in court. The combination of personal grievances and his emotional response to the stray dog issue appears to have fueled his actions, though police are still verifying his motives and background.

Security Lapses

The assault has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the security arrangements for the Chief Minister, who holds Z-plus security status. Despite routine screening of visitors at Jan Sunwai sessions, Sakariya was able to approach Gupta closely, indicating a failure in frisking and crowd management protocols. The fact that he conducted surveillance of the residence a day prior without detection has further intensified scrutiny of Delhi Police, which operates under the Union Home Ministry. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed, and senior officials, including North Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia and Commissioner SBK Singh, are overseeing a probe into the security breach. Authorities have since tightened security at the Chief Minister’s residence and are reviewing protocols for public interactions to prevent future incidents.

Political Reactions

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with leaders emphasizing the need for enhanced security and public safety measures:

• Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva: Described the incident as a “serious security lapse” and clarified that Gupta was not slapped but was pulled by the hand, leading to a scuffle where her head may have hit a corner. He praised Gupta’s resilience, noting that she remained committed to continuing her Jan Sunwai sessions and daily schedule despite being shaken by the incident.
• Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa: Alleged a “political conspiracy” behind the attack, suggesting that rivals were intolerant of Gupta’s accessibility to the public. He called for a thorough investigation to uncover any political motivations.
• Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra: Termed the assault an “unforgivable crime,” emphasizing the need for strict action against the perpetrator.
• AAP Leader and Former CM Atishi: Condemned the attack, stating, “There is no place for violence in democracy,” and urged Delhi Police to take the strictest action to ensure the Chief Minister’s safety.
• Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav: Called the incident “unfortunate” and highlighted broader concerns about women’s safety in Delhi, stating, “If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or woman be safe?”
• BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj: Described the assault as “cowardly,” reinforcing the party’s stance against political violence.

The incident has also sparked debates on social media, with hashtags such as #RekhaGupta, #DelhiCMAttack, and #SecurityLapse trending. Some users demanded video evidence of the attack, while others expressed concern over the vulnerability of public figures during open forums like Jan Sunwai.

Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitnesses at the scene provided vivid accounts of the chaotic moments:

• Anjali, a participant at the Jan Sunwai, said, “This is wrong. Everyone has the right to Jan Sunwai. If an imposter can slap her, this is a big deal… The person was speaking, and he suddenly slapped. Police have taken him away.”
• Shailendra Kumar, who attended to raise a sewer-related complaint, recounted, “When I reached the gates, chaos broke out because the CM was slapped. This is wrong.”
• Another attendee noted, “There was some jostling, but the CM is stable. She suffered a light blow to the head, but the dramatic reports of slaps and stones are not accurate.”

Investigation and Aftermath

Rajesh Khimji Bhai Sakariya is currently in custody at the Civil Lines police station, where he is being interrogated to confirm his identity, motives, and any potential affiliations. Delhi Police are coordinating with Gujarat Police to verify his background, cross-referencing documents he carried. The investigation is also exploring whether Sakariya acted alone or was influenced by external parties, as suggested by some BJP leaders.

Gupta, described as a “strong woman” by BJP leaders, was taken to a hospital for a medical checkup and is reported to be in stable condition, though shaken. She has vowed to continue her Jan Sunwai sessions, underscoring her commitment to public engagement. However, the program has been temporarily suspended pending a review of security measures. Potential changes include restricting physical access to the Chief Minister, introducing digital grievance mechanisms, or increasing police deployment during public events.

Broader Implications

The assault has reignited discussions about public safety in Delhi, particularly for women, as highlighted by Congress leader Devender Yadav. It has also prompted calls for stricter security protocols for public officials, especially during open forums like Jan Sunwai, which attract hundreds of citizens weekly. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing accessibility with safety in a politically charged environment, with opposition parties like AAP and Congress using the opportunity to criticize the Delhi Police’s effectiveness under central government control.

Conclusion

The attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta by Rajesh Khimji Bhai Sakariya on August 20, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the capital, exposing vulnerabilities in VIP protection and fueling debates over public safety. While Gupta remains determined to serve Delhi’s citizens, the incident has prompted a reevaluation of security measures to prevent future breaches. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the assault and addressing the broader issues of safety and governance in the national capital.