Delhi Court Extends Custody of 2 Accused in Attack on CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, the 41-year-old primary accused in the audacious attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with his associate Teshin, until October 6. The decision was handed down by Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Goyal during a virtual hearing, where both accused were produced from their respective detention facilities.

The incident in question occurred on August 20, 2025, during a routine 'Jan Sunwai' (public grievance redressal) program at the Chief Minister's camp office in Civil Lines, north Delhi. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as Khimjibhai, reportedly fueled by frustration over unresolved land acquisition grievances, suddenly lunged at Gupta with a concealed sharp object—a small knife or blade—aiming for her upper body.

The attack, captured partially on security cameras and by frantic attendees' mobile phones, showed the Chief Minister being swiftly shielded by her security detail, who overpowered the assailant within seconds. Gupta sustained minor injuries, including a superficial cut on her arm, but was treated promptly at a nearby hospital and discharged the same evening, displaying remarkable composure in her subsequent statements.

Khimjibhai, a resident of Gujarat originally, had traveled to Delhi specifically to voice his complaints regarding a delayed compensation payout for agricultural land acquired by the state government for urban development projects. According to police filings, he had submitted multiple petitions through official channels without satisfactory resolution, leading to escalating desperation. On the day of the attack, he bypassed initial security checks by posing as a routine petitioner, only to erupt in violence when his turn approached without immediate redressal.

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Teshin, identified as Khimjibhai's longtime friend and co-conspirator from Rajkot, Gujarat, was arrested days later on August 25 after a joint operation by Delhi Police and Gujarat's local authorities. Investigations revealed that Teshin had accompanied Khimjibhai to Delhi, providing logistical support and allegedly encouraging the aggressive confrontation.

Digital forensics on their seized phones uncovered WhatsApp exchanges hinting at premeditated intent, including messages about "taking drastic steps" if grievances were ignored. Teshin, a 38-year-old small-time trader, was extradited to Delhi and charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment, criminal conspiracy, and assault on a public servant.

The case has ignited widespread political and public discourse, with opposition parties decrying lapses in security protocols at high-profile public events, while the ruling dispensation has vowed a thorough probe to prevent future breaches. Delhi Police have invoked stringent charges, including attempt to murder and endangering the life of a constitutional functionary, emphasizing the gravity of targeting a sitting Chief Minister.

As the duo remains in Tihar Jail, the extension of custody allows investigators additional time to interrogate potential accomplices and scrutinize financial trails for any external backing.

Chief Minister Gupta, undeterred, has continued her public engagements, using the incident to highlight the need for streamlined grievance mechanisms to avert such desperate acts. The court's ruling underscores the ongoing judicial oversight in this high-stakes matter, with the next hearing slated for early October, keeping the spotlight firmly on Delhi's law enforcement apparatus.

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