Delhi Police has decided to make significant changes to Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's security protocol
- Delhi Police will tighten security for CM Rekha Gupta during public hearings after attack
- No individual will be allowed direct access to the Chief Minister during public meetings
- Police may take accused to Rajkot to gather more evidence and investigate possible conspiracy
In the wake of an attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunwai at her camp office in Civil Lines on Wednesday, the Delhi Police has decided to make significant changes to her security protocol.
Rekha Gupta already had Z-category security provided by the Delhi Police. Now, the Chief Minister will receive Z-category protection jointly handled by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Delhi Police, and the National Security Guard (NSG).
The man - identified as Sakaria Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, originally from Gujarat's Rajkot, had attacked the Chief Minister while meeting her in the guise of a petitioner. He slapped and pushed her and then pulled her hair before being overpowered by her securitymen.
CRPF personnel have also been deployed at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister.
Earlier, security at the CM's residence was handled by the Delhi Police. However, according to sources, the CRPF will now take over responsibility for her protection, replacing the Delhi Police.
The security around the Chief Minister will also be now significantly tightened during public hearings. Now, no individual will be allowed to approach the Chief Minister directly. All complaints submitted during such events will be subject to prior verification before being taken up, according to the sources.
The decision has been taken by the Home Ministry after the attack on Rekha Gupta yesterday.
Meanwhile, as part of the investigation, Delhi Police may take Rajesh Khimji to Rajkot during his five-day remand to gather more information and possibly recreate the crime scene at the Chief Minister's residence.
Investigators are also expected to examine whether the accused met anyone in Delhi prior to the attack and whom he may have spoken to. His mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination. The sources said that the Delhi Police will investigate to uncover any larger conspiracy behind the attack.
The Delhi Police had confirmed that Rajesh Khimji had been booked for attempted murder under Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police described him as a "serial offender" with a string of past cases in Gujarat, many of which ended in acquittal.
