Delhi CM Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing by Rajkot resident Rajesh Sakariya, a man with a long criminal history. Court records reveal five major cases against him since 2017, most ending in acquittals. The attack raises serious security concerns and questions about India’s investigative system.
The attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her residence on Wednesday has sent shockwaves across the political and administrative circles of the national capital. The incident not only raised concerns about the security of top political leaders but also brought the spotlight on the attacker, Rajesh Khimji Sakariya, a 41-year-old resident of Rajkot, Gujarat, who carries a long and chequered history of criminal cases.
Sakariya, immediately taken into custody following the attack, is no stranger to law enforcement agencies. Court documents and police records reveal that over the past decade, he has faced multiple criminal charges, ranging from assault to repeated violations under the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Yet, despite the serious nature of these charges, most cases against him have ended in acquittals. Legal experts point out that weak investigations, poor evidence collection, and frequent witness hostilities often undermine the judicial process in such matters.
A Timeline of Cases Against Sakariya
His first major brush with the law came in 2017, when Bhaktinagar Police Station in Rajkot registered FIR No. 215/2017 under serious charges — IPC Section 326 (causing grievous hurt), Section 504 (intentional insult), and Section 114 (abetment). The case proceeded to trial as Case No. 198/2018, but after nearly two years of hearings, the 8th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Rajkot, acquitted him on November 25, 2019, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
Sakariya’s troubles deepened in 2020, when he was booked twice in separate prohibition-related offences under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
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The first case (FIR No. 1227/2020) was filed under Sections 65AA and 116B. Registered as Case No. 21965/2020, it was heard by the 3rd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Rajkot, which delivered an acquittal on November 3, 2023.
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The second case (FIR No. 1591/2020), also under Sections 65AA and 116B, proceeded as Case No. 8067/2021 in the same court. He was acquitted yet again on October 25, 2023.
In 2022, Sakariya found himself facing another prohibition-related charge. This time, FIR No. 871/2022 was filed under Sections 65E and 116B of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The case, numbered 9551/2023, remains pending before the 2nd Additional Civil Judge and JMFC Court, Rajkot. The next hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2025.
Most recently, in 2024, Sakariya was once again booked by Bhaktinagar Police in FIR No. 072/2024, this time under a combination of serious provisions — IPC Sections 324 (causing hurt with dangerous weapons), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult), 114 (abetment), along with Section 135(1) of the Gujarat Police Act. The matter, registered as Case No. 12586/2024, was decided on December 7, 2024, when the 6th Additional Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Rajkot, acquitted him yet again.
A Pattern of Arrests and Acquittals
In total, Rajesh Sakariya has faced five major cases between 2017 and 2024. Four of them have ended in acquittals, while one prohibition case from 2022 continues to be under trial. His legal track record highlights a recurring cycle of arrests, trials, and eventual acquittals, which points to a deeper issue within the investigative and judicial processes.
Legal observers note that prohibition-related offences in Gujarat are particularly difficult to prosecute, as they often rely heavily on seizure records and witness testimonies. Both can be compromised, leading to frequent acquittals. Similarly, in cases of assault or violent conduct, the lack of strong corroborative evidence has repeatedly worked in Sakariya’s favor.
Political and Security Implications
The attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has already raised serious political and security concerns. Opposition leaders have questioned the lapses in the CM’s security arrangements, demanding accountability from the Delhi Police and security agencies. At the same time, the revelation of Sakariya’s criminal past has intensified the debate on how individuals with long-standing criminal backgrounds are able to repeatedly escape conviction and remain at large.
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For the people of Delhi, the incident is a reminder of the constant vulnerabilities faced by public officials in open forums and public hearings. It also underscores the urgent need for reforms in criminal investigations and the judicial system to ensure that habitual offenders are effectively prosecuted.
As the investigation into the attack progresses, all eyes will be on how the Delhi Police and judiciary handle the case against Rajesh Sakariya, a man with a past marked by serious allegations but an almost consistent record of legal acquittals.
