New Delhi – A shocking incident unfolded on Wednesday during a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) programme at Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s Civil Lines camp office, when a man suddenly attempted to attack the CM in front of staff and visitors.
The attacker has been identified as 41-year-old Rajesh Sakriya, a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat.
The Incident
According to eyewitnesses, Sakriya approached the Chief Minister with a set of papers in his hand, seemingly to raise his grievance.
However, moments after handing the documents to Gupta, he suddenly grabbed her hand and tried to pull her forcefully.
The CM was visibly startled as security personnel and members of the public immediately intervened, overpowering the man before he could cause any major harm.
While Chief Minister Gupta did not sustain serious injuries, officials said she was “shaken” by the sudden assault. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva clarified that the CM was not slapped or hit, and that the incident appeared more like a scuffle caused when the man attempted to drag her.
Motive Behind the Attack
Investigations have revealed that the attacker, Rajesh Sakriya, was deeply disturbed by the recent Supreme Court order directing stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be rounded up and shifted to shelters. According to his mother, Sakriya is a passionate dog lover and has been extremely agitated since the court verdict.
“My son loves dogs. He was angry after the Supreme Court’s order against stray dogs. He left for Delhi soon after hearing about it. We don’t know anything else,” his mother, Bhanu, told the media.
Family’s Statement: A Troubled Past
Rajkot Police have taken his mother in for questioning to understand his background and mental condition. She described her son as mentally unstable and prone to violent outbursts.
“His mind is like that—he can hit anyone. He has even beaten me. Once, I had to leave home for 15 days because of his behaviour.
He has mental issues, but never takes medicine. He loves animals, especially dogs, and was disturbed after the recent news about them. At home, too, he often turned violent. His nature just became like that,” she revealed.
The family of Sakriya, who belongs to a modest background of rickshaw pullers, confirmed that he had previously travelled to Delhi alone without informing them.
Political Reactions
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation across political parties. Former Delhi CM Atishi termed the incident “unacceptable” and demanded strict action against the attacker.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed his solidarity with Gupta, saying, ng: “She worries about Delhi, and that disturbs her detractors. I condemn the attack in the strongest words.”
The Larger Concern
The episode has once again raised questions about the safety of public leaders during open forums like Jan Sunwai programmes, where accessibility is encouraged but security risks remain high.
The police are currently investigating whether Sakriya acted on his impulse or if there were deeper motives connected to the stray dog issue.
For now, Rajesh Sakriya remains in custody, with officials expected to conduct psychiatric evaluations to determine the extent of his mental health challenges.
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