New Delhi: The Delhi Police have recovered the knife allegedly used by the prime accused in the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. It was found discarded in the Civil Lines area.
The weapon, a crucial piece of evidence, was found after an extensive search, shedding new light on the audacious assault that unfolded during a public hearing on August 20. Alongside this breakthrough, a second suspect has been arrested, deepening suspicions of a well-orchestrated conspiracy.
The incident, which sent ripples across the national capital, occurred when Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakariya, a 41-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Rajkot, Gujarat, allegedly attacked the Chief Minister during her weekly Jan Sunwai programme at her Civil Lines camp office.
According to police sources, Sakariya had arrived armed with a knife, intending to harm Gupta. However, spotting heavy police security outside her residence, he panicked and tossed the weapon in the nearby Civil Lines area before entering the premises. The Delhi Police, after relentless efforts, recovered the knife on Sunday, bolstering their investigation.
Unravelling A Larger Plot
Sakariya was apprehended on the day of the attack, and his interrogation revealed startling details. The police have now arrested a second individual, Tahseen Syed, also from Rajkot, on charges of criminal conspiracy and aiding the attempted murder. Authorities disclosed that Syed, a close associate of Sakariya, was in constant contact with him in the days leading up to the assault. A financial transaction of Rs 2,000 via Google Pay from Syed to Sakariya has raised suspicions of premeditated planning. Both accused have been sent to 14-day judicial custody by the Tis Hazari court, with further interrogations underway to uncover the full extent of their motives.
A Delhi Police team travelled to Rajkot last Friday to question five individuals linked to Sakariya, including another auto-rickshaw driver who allegedly facilitated the financial transfer. “We are probing all possible angles to ascertain if others were involved,” said a senior police officer, adding that a notice has been issued to the second driver to cooperate with the investigation. The police have also slapped additional charges of criminal conspiracy under Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), indicating a shift from viewing the attack as an isolated act to a coordinated plot.
A Motive Rooted In Unrest
Preliminary investigations suggest an unusual trigger for Sakariya’s actions. A resident of Rajkot’s Kothariya Road, Sakariya was reportedly distressed over a Supreme Court order mandating the relocation of stray dogs to shelters in Delhi. Described as a dog lover with a history of criminal charges, including two assault cases involving knives, Sakariya’s agitation over the ruling may have driven him to target the Chief Minister. On the day of the attack, he posed as a complainant, presenting court papers before allegedly attempting to harm Gupta during the public hearing.
Heightened Security And Public Outcry
The brazen attack has sparked widespread concern about the safety of public officials during open-access events like Jan Sunwai. In response, the Delhi Police have overhauled Gupta’s security arrangements, replacing the earlier Z-category CRPF cover with a Z+ protection detail comprising over 40 personnel. Stringent checks, including multiple friskings, have been mandated for all visitors attending her programmes. The Union Home Ministry, initially involved in coordinating her security, has now entrusted the Delhi Police with her safety, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from political quarters. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva condemned the attack, asserting that Gupta remains undeterred in her commitment to public service despite the ordeal. Opposition leaders, including AAP’s Atishi and Congress’s Devender Yadav, have also denounced the violence, with Yadav questioning the safety of ordinary citizens if even the Chief Minister is vulnerable. Gupta’s office has termed the assault a “well-planned conspiracy to kill her,” urging a thorough probe.
A Case That Raises Alarms
As the investigation deepens, questions linger about the broader implications of the attack. Was Sakariya acting alone, or is there a larger network at play? The recovery of the knife and the arrest of a second suspect mark critical steps toward unravelling the truth, but the Delhi Police face mounting pressure to ensure justice is served swiftly.