Delhi CM Attacked By Dog Lover In Public Hearing
Sources in Delhi Police said the accused has been identified as Rajesh Bhaiji, a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat
By : Avinash Prabhakar
Update: 2025-08-20 04:14 GMT
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her camp office in the Civil Lines area on Wednesday. She reportedly suffered minor injuries to her hand and head. The attacker allegedly entered the CM’s camp office and approached her with a complaint during the meeting, which started at 8 am. After pushing her, the attacker pulled her hair before the Chief Minister’s security overpowered him. A case of attempt to murder has been registered against the accused, Rajesh Sakariya, 41, from Rajkot, Gujarat, and his questioning is underway. While the AAP and the Congress condemned the attack, the BJP termed the assault as part of a “well-planned conspiracy to kill her.”
The accused first handed over some papers to Ms Gupta, then began shouting and yelling before striking her. He was reportedly thrashed by other people at the event after he attacked the CM being detained by the police. A witness present at 'Jan Sunwai' said, “We all were sitting. A person whose turn came sat with the CM... He was speaking with the CM and suddenly he attacked her. We heard a loud sound. And immediately the police detained the person.”
Unfazed by the attack, Ms Gupta declared that public hearing will continue unabated. She likened the attack on her as a hit on her commitment to serve the people of Delhi. Terming it as a cowardly act, she said, “I was shocked. But now I am feeling better.” In a post on X, she said, “I appeal to all my well-wishers not to worry about meeting me. I will soon be available working amongst you. Now I will be working with a renewed vigour and dedication.”
At the public hearing, the accused had come to the CM’s residence with a petition seeking the release of one of his relatives from Tihar jail. The Rajkot police have also taken his mother Bhanuben Sakaria for questioning. She claimed in Rajkot that her son was not affiliated to any political party and had gone to the national capital to take part in a protest against the Supreme Court's order on stray dogs. She also claimed her son is 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 went to Haridwar a few days back and told her over phone that he would go to Delhi to participate in protests against the apex court’s order. “That's all he told us over the phone when we asked when he would return,” Ms Bhanuben said.
Citing CCTV footage from Ms Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh residence, official sources said that the attack on her seemed to be part of a “well-planned conspiracy.” Sources said that 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 reconnoitered 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 footage has been handed over to the police, who are carrying out a detailed investigation into the incident.
Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to review the security arrangements of Ms Gupta after a detailed report of the incident is submitted by the police.