Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Gets Z Category Security After Attack; CRPF Takes Charge

New Delhi, August 21: A day after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was physically attacked during a public grievance meeting, the Centre has granted her Z category security. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has now officially taken over her protection, with Delhi Police also continuing to provide security support.

The decision came following Wednesday’s shocking incident in which the Chief Minister was allegedly slapped by a 41-year-old man, Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, from Rajkot, Gujarat. The accused reportedly pulled her hair, pushed her, and slapped her during a Jan Sunvai session held at her official residence in Civil Lines.

According to sources, Sakariya handed some documents to the CM, referred to a court case, and began shouting before assaulting her. He was quickly subdued by security personnel present at the venue.

The attacker, described by his family as mentally unstable, has been taken into police custody. His mother informed authorities that he had been upset over a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning stray dogs and their relocation to shelters in Delhi-NCR — an issue he was emotionally invested in as a dog lover. His family also claimed that he had a history of erratic behavior and had previously assaulted family members.

Further complicating the case, CCTV footage of Sakariya conducting a recce of the CM's Shalimar Bagh residence surfaced hours after the attack, raising concerns over premeditation. He was remanded to five-day police custody on Thursday, and Delhi Police have registered a case under Sections 109(1)/132/221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Civil Lines Police Station.

In a statement, the Delhi Police said:"We are investigating the matter from all possible angles. The accused is in custody, and an attempt to murder case has been registered. Further inquiry is ongoing."

Security arrangements at the Chief Minister's residences in Civil Lines and Shalimar Bagh have been tightened, with multiple layers of CRPF and local police deployment.