Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly attacked by an individual while she was attending to the visitors during the weekly Jan Sunvai programme at her official residence in Civil Lines on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as a 35-year-old Rajesh Khimji allegedly posed as a complainant and approached Chief Minister Gupta on the pretext of submitting an application with a grievance.
The accused then attacked the Chief Minister referring to initial reports of “slapping” and “pulling her hair” following which, he was taken into custody.
Doctors were immediately called to conduct a medical examination of Gupta, after which she was transferred to the hospital. As per reports, the accused was referring to a court case when attacking the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has apprehended one person in connection with the attack and has taken him to the Civil Lines police station.
Police said that the accused said he belongs to Rajkot in Gujarat. It is being verified whether his name and address are accurate. Additionally his documents are also being verified.
“One person apprehended and taken to Civil Lines Police Station in connection with attack on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta during Jan Sunwai at CM Residence,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
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.”
Anjali, who was present at the Jan Sunvai event, 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 eye witness Shailendra Kumar said, “I had come from Uttam Nagar with a complaint over 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.
Several party leaders from both the centre and opposition and condemned the incident and raised concerns over the Chief Minister’s safety.
Senior BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri called it an attempt to attack Gupta and disrupt the public meeting.
Following the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, state BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva informed that her condition is “stable” and was examined by the doctors. He said that CM is a “strong” lady and she has not cancelled her programs.
Sachdeva said that a man approached her and presented her papers during the Jan Sunvai on Wednesday morning. The accused tried to pull CM Gupta towards him, following which there was a little “jostling”.
The Delhi BJP chief said that the accused was nabbed by the police and the investigation is underway.
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav termed the incident unfortunate. “The CM leads the entire Delhi, and I think that the more such incidents are condemned, the less it is. But this incident also exposes women’s safety. If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or common woman be safe?” he said.
Delhi LoP Atishi condemned the attack saying,”The attack on Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is highly condemnable. In a democracy, there is a place for disagreement and protest, but there is no place for violence. Hoping that the Delhi Police will take the strictest action against the culprits. It is hoped that the Chief Minister is completely safe.”
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav also condemned the attack on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, terming the incident “unfortunate”. He said that the Chief Minister leads Delhi and questioned the security of the Delhi CM, stating, “if she is not safe in the state, then who else is?”
“This is very unfortunate. CM leads the entire Delhi, and I think that the more such incidents are condemned, the less it is. But this incident also exposes women’s safety. If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or common woman be safe?” Devender Yadav told news agency ANI.
