CM to proceed public hearings, says cowardly assault cant break her spirit

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday mentioned the assault on her by a 41-year-old man was a “cowardly try” that may by no means shake her spirit to serve the folks and vowed to proceed her public hearings with larger power and dedication.

The incident occurred when the attacker, recognized as Rajesh Bhai Kimji Bhai Sakariya from Rajkot, Gujarat, allegedly entered the CM’s Civil Lines workplace throughout a public listening to beneath the guise of a complainant. According to the police, he approached Ms. Gupta with some papers and tried to heckle her. The CM’s safety personnel then intervened and apprehended him. 

“The assault on me throughout the Jan Sunwayi (public listening to) at the moment morning just isn’t solely an assault on me but in addition a cowardly assault on our resolve to serve Delhi and the general public good,” Ms. Gupta mentioned in a put up on X in Hindi.

“Such assaults can by no means break my spirit and resolve to serve the general public. Now, I will likely be amongst you with extra power and dedication than ever earlier than. Jan Sunwayi and resolving public issues will proceed with the identical seriousness and dedication as earlier than,” she mentioned.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia confirmed that the accused has been taken him into police custody and an FIR has been registered on the Civil Lines police station beneath Sections 109(1) (try and homicide), 132 (assault or felony drive to discourage a public servant from discharge of responsibility), and 221 (obstructing a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. “We are probing the case from all doable angles,” he mentioned.

‘Fabricated experiences’

Police mentioned a day earlier than the assault, the accused had been caught on CCTV on the CM’s Shalimar Bagh residence, allegedly recording movies of the premises and the CCTV cameras.

 The incident drew sharp political reactions. Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh known as it a “direct assault on democratic values”.  Though sources within the Delhi BJP initially mentioned Ms. Gupta was “slapped” by the accused, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva later instructed mediapersons that experiences of her being slapped and a stone being thrown at her have been “fabricated”. Mr. Sachdeva mentioned there was jostling, throughout which the CM suffered a light-weight blow to her head.

However, Mr. Banthia didn’t make clear the extent of the assault or accidents to the Chief Minister in response to The Hindu’s queries.

(With inputs from Abhinay Deshpande)