Attack on CM Rekha Gupta: Delhi Court Frames Attempt-to-Murder Charges Against Two Accused
Delhi court frames charges against two accused in alleged attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during Jan Sunwai programme
A Delhi Court on Friday formally framed charges against two men accused of attacking Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public programme earlier this year, clearing the way for trial in the high-profile case.
Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann of Tis Hazari Court framed charges against Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh after producing both accused in court. The two pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Court directed that the proceedings will be conducted in camera, noting that the victim is a public figure.
Earlier, on December 20, the Court had held that a prima facie case was made out against the accused and ordered framing of charges under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder.
In its order, the Court observed that prima facie all the ingredients of offences punishable under Sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions), 132 (using criminal force against a public servant while performing official duty), and 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the BNS were attracted against both the accused.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked on August 20 during a ‘Jan Sunwai’ programme at her camp office in the Civil Lines area of Delhi. Her office had described the incident as a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at killing her.
Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, 41, a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat, was arrested shortly after the incident and booked under charges including attempt to murder. The prosecution alleges that Khimjibhai carried out the physical attack on the Chief Minister.
Co-accused Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh has been accused of hatching the conspiracy with Khimjibhai. According to the prosecution, the two met in Rajkot to plan the attack, and Shaikh allegedly transferred ₹2,000 to Khimjibhai to facilitate the execution of the plan.
The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet running into over 400 pages on October 18, detailing the alleged conspiracy and sequence of events leading up to the attack. The chargesheet invokes offences of attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and assaulting and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties.
On October 30, the Court had directed the jail authorities to submit a medical report on the condition of accused Rajesh Bhai Khimji.
The direction had come after Sakariya moved an application before the trial court alleging that despite being arrested and charged with serious offences, he had not been provided a copy of the FIR, thereby violating his rights as an accused.
The Delhi Police had opposed Sakariya’s application for a copy of the FIR, claiming that the report had been classified as “sensitive” through an internal order, and therefore could not be provided at this stage. They argued that the application was “premature and not maintainable.”
However, during the hearing, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) had conceded that the FIR could be shared subject to an undertaking by the accused that he would not circulate or disclose its contents. Sakariya’s counsel had countered this condition, pointing out that no such undertaking is mandated under law and that withholding the FIR from the accused would amount to a violation of natural justice and due process. After considering the rival submissions, the Court sided with the accused.
The Magistrate made it clear that the FIR must be provided, while simultaneously protecting the confidentiality of its contents by directing that Sakariya must not publish or circulate the document without prior permission of the court.
Notably, on September 22, the Delhi Court had extended the judicial custody of Rajesh Khimji and his associate Tehseen Syed till October 6 in connection with the attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The Judicial Magistrate had passed the order after both accused were produced before the court through video conferencing. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Advocate Pradeep Rana, along with Advocate Gagan Bhatnagar, appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police.
Hearing Date: December 26, 2025
Bench: Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann