Delhi CM Rekha Gupta assaulted at public meet, attacker arrested

Gupta was "slapped" and "pulled by hair" at the 'Jan Sunwai' programme, eyewitnesses said.

The doctors have attended the Chief Minister who is now doing well.

The accused has been identified as 42-year-old Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, who was immediately detained.

Rajesh, who has been arrested, is a resident of Rajkot.

Speaking of the incident, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president said as quoted by The Hindu, "During the Jan Sunwai this morning, the Chief Minister was speaking with the public, as she always does.

"A man approached her, presented some paper and suddenly held her hand while trying to pull her towards him. During this, there was some jostling. People nabbed him. Who he is, and all other details, are being investigated by the Police."

"The CM is stable. Doctors have examined her... It seems that she suffered a light blow to her head. The slap or stone-throwing stories are fabricated," he added.

BJP MP from New Delhi constituency, Bansuri Swaraj, posted on X, "The cowardly attack on the Honorable Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. @gupta_rekha ji, is highly condemnable and shameful. This attack is not only an assault on a public representative but also a severe blow to democracy. Such a despicable attack on a woman who tirelessly works day and night for the development of Delhi and strives relentlessly for a developed Delhi is unforgivable.

"I have full confidence that Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta ji’s iron will shall not bow before such attempts. The culprit responsible for such a heinous crime must not be spared at any cost and should receive the strictest punishment. There should be no place in society for those who commit such vile acts."

Condemning the incident, former Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal said, "The attack on Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is highly condemnable. In a democratic system, differences of opinion and opposition are acceptable, but there can be no place for violence.

"I am confident that the Delhi Police will take appropriate action. I hope the Chief Minister is completely safe and healthy."