A 41-year-old man, Rajesh Sakariya, who allegedly attacked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is found to have a history of crimes behind him. He had earlier been booked by the Gujarat Police in five similar cases, including knife attack, police sources said.
Following the incident, Sakariya, originally from Rajkot in Gujarat, was taken into custody by the police before verifying his antecedents.
“We got to know that he was previously booked in five different cases at the Bhaktinagar police station in Gujarat,” a source said.
According to sources, Sakariya has a history of five prior cases registered against him at the Bhaktinagar police station in Gujarat.
Previously, he was booked under sections related to voluntarily causing hurt, causing hurt by dangerous weapon or means, and causing grievous hurt, among others, sources mentioned.
Sakariya has been shifted to the Civil Lines police station for interrogation. The Delhi Police are verifying his details with the help of Gujarat authorities. They are cross-checking his details with the assistance from the Gujarat authorities.
Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), said, “An FIR has been registered under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), and 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions). Further investigation into the case is ongoing by us.”
He was also seen talking on the phone in the area. The Special Cell of Delhi Police has been roped in for further investigation.
The source said, “The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has been assisting in the investigation, following the reports that Sakariya was seen talking on the phone in the area.”
“The accused will be produced before the court, and we are planning to seek at least five days’ remand. He came to Delhi by train, and we have seized his mobile phone, which contains some videos of ‘Jan Sunwai’—one at the CM’s residence in Shalimar Bagh and another at her camp office,” the source added.
An officer said on condition of anonymity, “Sakariya will be produced before the court, and then we are planning to seek a five-day remand. We have confiscated his mobile phone, which had videos of ‘Jan Sunwai’ sessions—one at the Chief Minister’s Shalimar Bagh residence and another at her camp office. Investigation revealed Sakariya arrived in Delhi by train.”
The attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta happened during a public hearing at her camp office in Civil Lines around 8.15 am on Wednesday. Her office described it as part of a ‘well-planned conspiracy to kill her.’ Officers said the assault was serious and could have been life-threatening.
Another officer mentioned in his statement that he was not carrying any weapon, as he was aware of strict checking at the CM’s office. Instead, he carried a bag containing clothes and some papers.
Meanwhile, in Rajkot, the accused’s mother, Bhanuben Sakariya, claimed that her son was not linked to any political party and had gone to Delhi to protest against a Supreme Court order on stray dogs. “He loves dogs, cows, and birds. He was upset after the SC said all stray dogs in Delhi should be captured,” she said.
Police sources added that the Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to review the security cover of CM Gupta once Delhi Police submits a detailed report. The chief minister is currently accorded ‘Z’ category security by Delhi Police as per the MHA’s ‘Yellow Book’ guidelines for VIP protection.