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.
The incident occurred despite the presence of security personnel around the CM.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva strongly condemned the attack on the Chief Minister. Talking to reporters after meeting the CM, Sachdeva said that Gupta is "shaken," but she is doing fine.
"During the '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.
In her first reaction after the attack , Gupta said the attack was a "cowardly attempt" on her resolve to serve people, and asserted that it has not broken her spirit., she stressed the Jan Sunwai programme would continue like before.
"The attack on me during this morning's public hearing was not just an attack on me, but a cowardly attempt on our resolve to serve Delhi and work for the welfare of the people," she said in a post on X in Hindi.
The chief minister said she was "in shock" after this attack, but assured people that she is "feeling better".
"Such attacks can never break my spirit or my resolve to serve the people. Now, I will be among you with even more energy and dedication than before.
"Public hearings and the resolution of people's problems will continue with the same seriousness and commitment as before. Your trust and support are my greatest strength," she said in the same post.
In the post, she requested her well-wishers not to trouble themselves by coming to meet her. "I will soon be seen working among you again. I express my heartfelt gratitude for your immense love, blessings, and good wishes," Gupta added.
According to a PTI report, official sources have 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 PTI report cited.
The CCTV footage has been handed over to the police, who are carrying out a detailed investigation into the incident, sources told PTI.
Meanwhile, the mother of the accused, told reporters in Rajkot that her son was not affiliated with any political party and had travelled to the national capital to join a protest against the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs. She described him as 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 had recently gone to Haridwar and later informed her over phone that he would proceed to Delhi to take part in the protests.
“That’s all he told us over the phone when we asked when he would return,” she added, according to PTI.
Police sources further told PTI that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to review the security arrangements of CM Gupta once a detailed report of the incident is submitted.
CM Gupta was accorded 'Z' category security by the Delhi Police, in line with security guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) outlined in the 'Yellow Book', which details protection protocols for VIPs and VVIPs, PTI reported.
Police sources told PTI that two videos of 'Jan Sunwai' were recovered from the mobile phone of the accused.
“So far we have learnt that the accused was recording videos of 'Jan Sunwai', including one from the chief minister's residence in Shalimarbagh 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.
Former Delhi chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Atishi also condemned the incident and expressed hope that the chief minister was safe and that the police would take strong action against the guilty.
Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the attack on Gupta. Kejriwal stressed in a post on X that while differences of opinion and opposition are acceptable in a democracy, 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,” Kejriwal wrote.