Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly attacked during a Jan Sunwai programme at her official residence in Civil Lines on Wednesday morning. The attack took place while the chief minister was speaking to people and addressing their grievances.
According to police, the accused has been arrested, and further investigation is underway.
Who is the accused?
As per the initial investigation, the attacker has been identified as Rajeshbhai Kimjhibhai (41), a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat. According to sources, one of his relatives is currently lodged in jail, and he had come with an application seeking his release, a matter which is still pending in court. The sources also revealed that he had brought court papers with him to meet the CM. The file contained only legal papers.
The exact motive behind the assault is yet to be confirmed. Police said the accused has been arrested and is currently being questioned at the Civil Lines police station.
According to sources, the Delhi Police has contacted the Gujarat Police to verify the details provided by the accused, including his name and address. Verification is currently underway.
The police sources said that the Delhi Police is questioning the accused about whether Rajesh Bhai had come to the CM's residence during the public hearing before or not. The police are also trying to know from the accused that if he had come to CM's residence for a public hearing before today, then whether he had planned to attack CM during that time or not.
What happened with Rekha Gupta during 'Jan Sunvai'?
The 41-year-old man first gave the CM some papers during the public hearing and then allegedly attacked her. He also pulled her hair and slapped her. Though Gupta is not injured, the incident has left her in shock. Meanwhile, a team of doctors has also arrived at Gupta's residence. The incident took place during the Jan Sunvai at Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's residence in Civil Lines on Wednesday, Delhi BJP said.
In a statement, the Chief Minister's office said, "A person attacked CM Rekha Gupta during Jan Sunvai today. The accused has been nabbed by the Delhi Police and is being questioned."
Timeline of the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
- Public hearing is held every Wednesday at the Delhi Chief Minister's camp office at Raj Niwas Marg
- Public hearing starts at 7 am
- People from all over Delhi reach out with their complaints and grievances
- The Chief Minister reaches out to all the complainants one by one
- The Chief Minister arrived at around 8 am
- After which, the accused attacked the Chief Minister
- Police arrested the accused and took him to the Civil Lines police station
- The Chief Minister is taken for a medical check-up
- In the initial interrogation, the accused gave his name as Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai
- The accused is 41 years old and claimed that he is a resident of Rajkot
- Delhi Police is in touch with Rajkot Police
Anjali, who was present at the spot, said, "This is wrong. Everyone has the right to Jan Sunvai. If an imposter can slap her, this is a big deal...I was there...The person was speaking, and he suddenly slapped. Police have taken him away."
Another eyewitness, Shailendra Kumar, said, "I had come from Uttam Nagar with a complaint over the sewer. When I reached the gates, chaos broke out because the CM was slapped. This is wrong."
"During Jan Sunvai this morning, CM was speaking with the public like she always does. A man approached her, presented some paper, and suddenly held her hand while trying to pull her towards him. During this, there was a little jostling...People nabbed him. Who is he, and all other details are being investigated by the Police...The CM is stable. Doctors have examined her. I have met her, she is a strong woman...It seems that she suffered a light blow to her head...The slap or stone-throwing stories are fabricated...Such incidents in politics are condemnable...Jan Sunvai will continue. CM is resting right now, but she has said that she will not cancel her programs," he said.
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