In a new twist in the case of the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assault, CCTV footage from August 19 has appeared, with the accused Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya appearing on it checking out the Chief Minister's house in Shalimar Bagh and video recording the building.
Delhi Police apprehended the 41-year-old Rajkot resident on Wednesday after he reportedly attacked CM Gupta during her Jan Sunvai programme at her home in Civil Lines.
The video recorded at her private Shalimar Bagh residence indicates that Rajesh had scoped out the location first and recorded it on camera. This supports the allegations of Delhi ministers Parvesh Verma and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who had previously claimed that the attack was premeditated.
Fresh details regarding Rajesh's criminal past have also emerged. Police attested that he has a minimum of five cases registered against him at Bhaktinagar Police Station in Rajkot. While he was acquitted in four, one case remains pending, with the next hearing scheduled for September 9.
Police sources said that Rajesh is being questioned to understand his motive. They also confirmed that Gujarat Police has been approached for further information, although an official confirmation is still to be received.
Ministers Verma and Sirsa said that the attacker had brutally dragged the Chief Minister by her hair and pinned her down before the security personnel and locals could rush in to save the day.
To put things in perspective, CM Rekha Gupta conducts her weekly Jan Sunvai at 8 a.m. every Wednesday at her residence in Civil Lines. On the day of the incident, she had reached there on time and was hearing complaints when she approached Rajesh. At that point of time, he allegedly started shouting, caught her hand, and then attacked her, sources added.
The attack has raised alarm over a gross lapse in the security of the Chief Minister. Delhi Police have assured that an internal investigation will be launched to assess how the attack could have taken place when heavy security provisions were in place.
Read also| VP Candidate CP Radhakrishnan’s Mother Shares the Story Behind His Name
Read also| Give Affidavit Within 7 Days or Apologise on 'Vote Theft' Claims: CEC Tells Rahul Gandhi
