A Delhi court has taken a stern view of the alleged attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, stating that the primary accused appeared to have arrived with a clear "intention to kill". The Tis Hazari court has directed that formal charges be framed against two individuals from Rajkot, marking a critical step forward in the high-profile case.
Court's Stern Observations and Charges
On Saturday, Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann issued the order for framing charges against Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakariya (41) and his accomplice Tehsin Raza. The court emphasized that Sakariya came in a "very calculated and well prepared manner" to attack the Chief Minister during a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) at her Civil Lines Camp Office on August 20.
The charges to be framed are severe and include:
- Attempt to murder
- Obstruction of a public servant in discharge of public functions
- Assault or using criminal force to deter public servants from duty
- Criminal conspiracy
While Sakariya was arrested from the spot immediately after the incident, Raza, who allegedly was aware of the plan, was apprehended four days later.
The Motive and the Court's Scrutiny
The 429-page chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police in October presented a unusual motive. It claimed Rajesh attacked the CM after having a dream where dogs told him that canines in Delhi were suffering. The police linked this to the attacker's anger over CM Gupta's support for a Supreme Court order dated August 11. That order directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to relocate all stray dogs from streets to shelters within eight weeks.
However, the court critically examined the defence of the accused being an animal lover. Judge Mann referenced Shakespeare's Hamlet, "Frailty, thy name is Woman!", and observed that the accused, aware of high security for Supreme Court judges, found an "easy prey" in the Chief Minister because she, despite her position, did not have similar security cover.
"The law of the country is that justice empowers every woman... and law protects them and punishes the wrongdoer with an iron hand," the court asserted in its order.
Path Forward and Key Implications
The court's order to frame charges means the judicial process is now moving to the trial stage, where evidence will be examined in detail. The judge's remarks underscore the seriousness with which the judiciary views attacks on elected representatives, particularly women in high office.
According to sources, in a previous hearing, Rajesh had told the court he "loved animals" and "couldn't control his aggression," which led to the attack. The court's latest observations, however, point towards premeditation rather than a spontaneous act of aggression.
This case has brought into focus the security protocols for public officials during open hearings and the potential for individuals with grievances to target them. The framing of charges is a pivotal development, setting the stage for a closely watched legal battle that intertwines issues of political security, mental state of the accused, and the interpretation of criminal intent.
