New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) A Delhi court on Saturday framed charges against Sakariya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tehsin Raza for attacking Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and conspiring to kill her.
The court charged both accused with attempt to murder, obstruction of a public servant, assault to deter a public servant from duty, and criminal conspiracy. An additional charge of voluntarily causing hurt was framed specifically against accused Sakariya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai.
The order was passed on Saturday after lengthy arguments advanced on December 15 by Advocate Pradeep Rana, Special Public Prosecutor for the State, and Advocate Kartik Gadi.
Defense counsel argued that the charge of attempt to murder did not apply in this case, and that a criminal conspiracy between the accused had not been proven.
However, the Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Rana demonstrated the accused’s intent to eliminate the Chief Minister, showing how they planned to use a knife and had conducted reconnaissance at the CM’s residence just prior to the assault.
Rana also highlighted the accused’s alleged criminal mindset, noting their involvement in approximately 13 other cases, and pointed out that they had initially planned to cause a major incident at the Supreme Court.
After reviewing all evidence on record, the Sessions Judge ordered the framing of all charges mentioned in the prosecution’s chargesheet.
The matter is now listed for December 26.
Gupta was attacked on August 20 during a “Jan Sunwai” (public hearing) at her official residence in Civil Lines. The accused are currently in judicial custody.
According to the chargesheet, Rajeshbhai initially tried to mislead police by fabricating a story about a dream involving a dog. When confronted with his co-accused, Tahsin Raja Rafiullah Shaikh alias Bapu, he confessed to lying.
“I and Tahsin were both watching videos of cruelty towards dogs. The videos made me furious, and I told Tahsin that I would go to Delhi and kill the Chief Minister. I further said that killing the Delhi CM would send a message that no one would dare to touch any dog across the nation,” Rajeshbhai told investigators, as quoted in the chargesheet.
During this conversation, Tahsin reportedly mocked Rajeshbhai, reminding him he had previously been beaten and driven away from Uttar Pradesh while protesting for monkeys. In response, Rajeshbhai stated he would go to “any extent” this time—meaning he would kill a person.
Subsequently, the two hatched the conspiracy to kill the Chief Minister.
Court frames attempt to murder, conspiracy charges in Rekha Gupta attack case
