Rekha Gupta Attack Probe: Police Detain Friend Of Prime Accused Rajesh Khimji In Rajkot

The probe into the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has led police to detain a friend of the prime accused, Rajesh Khimji, from Rajkot.

Delhi Police confirmed that several of Khimji’s friends and family members are under questioning.

One of his friends, detained in Rajkot, is suspected of transferring money to him.

A police team stationed there will bring him to the capital by this evening.

Investigators are currently cross-checking Khimji’s statements made during interrogation. No further arrests have been made so far.

The case centres around the attack on CM Gupta during a public grievance hearing (Jan Sunvai) at her Civil Lines residence on 20 August. The attacker, identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, was arrested on the spot.

CCTV Footage Surfaces

Two CCTV clips have since surfaced, showing Khimji scouting the Chief Minister’s Shalimar Bagh home the day before the incident.

The footage, dated 19 August, records him arriving on a cycle rickshaw, filming the premises, and moving in and out for 11 minutes.

Reports indicate that staff at the residence even handed him a slip with details of the CM’s Civil Lines address and the schedule of the ‘Jan Sunvai’.

On Wednesday, Khimji allegedly attacked the Chief Minister, slapping her and pulling her hair during the programme.

A case of attempt to murder has been registered against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and police secured a five-day remand for interrogation.

According to officials, Khimji, 41, had travelled to Delhi by train on Tuesday morning, his first visit to the capital.

He stayed in Room D-5 at the Gujarati Bhavan in Civil Lines before heading to Shalimar Bagh.

Police added that he had told a friend over the phone about his plan to visit the CM’s residence.

Following the incident, security at CM Gupta’s Civil Lines home has been tightened considerably. She has now been accorded ‘Z category’ protection, with CRPF personnel deployed at the premises.

Investigations also revealed Khimji’s criminal past.

Gujarat Police confirmed that five cases had been lodged against him at Bhaktinagar Police Station in Rajkot.

While he was acquitted in four, one case remains pending, with a hearing due on 9 September.

Authorities in Gujarat have been asked to provide more information about his background as the investigation continues.

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