Centre Withdraws CRPF Security from Delhi CM After Attack

The Central Government has withdrawn the Z-category security cover provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, just days after it was assigned following a violent attack on her. The decision, effective August 25, 2025, transfers her security back to the Delhi Police, raising questions about the Centre’s response to the high-profile assault, official sources confirmed.

On August 20, 2025, Gupta, 51, was attacked during her weekly “Jan Sunwai” public hearing at her Civil Lines camp office in New Delhi. The assailant, identified as Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimji, a 41-year-old autorickshaw driver from Rajkot, Gujarat, allegedly slapped Gupta and grabbed her hair before being restrained. Gupta’s office described the incident as a “well-planned conspiracy to kill her,” prompting the Union Home Ministry to assign CRPF’s VIP security wing to her on August 21 under Z-category protocol, typically reserved for high-risk individuals.

However, sources revealed that formal orders to extend the CRPF cover were never issued, and the Centre abruptly reversed the decision, directing Delhi Police to resume responsibility for Gupta’s protection. The reasons for the withdrawal remain unclear, though it has sparked speculation about political motivations, especially given the ongoing tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-controlled Centre.

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Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the attack, arresting two suspects: Khimji and his associate, Tahseen Syed, who was detained in Rajkot and brought to Delhi for questioning. Khimji, with a criminal history including assault and liquor smuggling, claimed he attacked Gupta to protest a Supreme Court ruling on stray dog relocation. The police are probing whether the assault was a lone act or part of a larger plot, with forensic analysis of Khimji’s phone underway to recover potential evidence.

Gupta, undeterred by the attack, has vowed to continue her public engagements. Speaking at a rally in Rohini on August 23, 2025, she stated, “No attack can stop me from serving Delhi’s people.” The Delhi Police have since bolstered her security detail, deploying additional personnel and advanced surveillance measures to ensure her safety during public appearances.

The sudden withdrawal of CRPF protection has drawn criticism from AAP leaders, who accuse the Centre of undermining Gupta’s safety. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, speaking on August 24, 2025, called the move “a deliberate attempt to weaken the elected government.” Meanwhile, posts on X reflect public concern, with some users questioning the Centre’s commitment to protecting elected officials, while others speculate about jurisdictional disputes between central and state authorities.

As the investigation continues, the incident and the subsequent security reshuffle highlight the complex interplay of politics and law enforcement in Delhi, where the AAP government frequently clashes with the Centre over administrative control. Gupta’s safety remains a priority, but the abrupt change in security arrangements has added a layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation.

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