Rajkot auto-rickshaw driver Rajesh Sakriya, accused of attacking Delhi CM Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunwai, told police his motive was the ‘lives of 3 lakh dogs’. Authorities are investigating.”

Lives of 3 Lakh Dogs…”: What Rekha Gupta’s Attacker Claimed He Wanted to Tell Her

Sudden Assault During Public Hearing Sparks Shock

During her weekly Jan Sunwai public hearing in Delhi’s Civil Lines camp office, a 41-year-old man identified as Rajesh Sakriya Khimjibhai from Rajkot, Gujarat, launched a startling attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He physically assaulted her by grabbing her hand, slapping her, and even pulling at her hair—causing immediate pandemonium until security personnel intervened.

Authorities swiftly arrested Sakriya and have registered a case of attempted murder, along with related charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Lives of 3 Lakh Dogs”: A Startling Motive

In questioning, Sakriya reportedly told police that his motive behind the attack was to draw attention to the “lives of three lakh dogs” in Delhi. He framed it as a plea for the Chief Minister to take note of issues facing stray dogs in the city.

Officials are actively verifying this claim, examining his phone, social media, and travel movements to piece together his narrative.

More Than a Protest? Complex Background Unfolds

Several layers to the case have emerged:

Sakriya is an auto-rickshaw driver from Rajkot with five prior criminal cases including assault, quarrelling, and liquor-related charges filed between 2017 and 2023.
His mother describes him as an animal lover who was deeply upset by a recent Supreme Court ruling mandating stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be rounded up and housed in shelters.
During interrogation, Sakriya recounted being on a hunger strike in Ayodhya for monkeys and staging a stray cattle welfare protest in Rajkot earlier this year. He even claimed to care for 15–20 dogs in his village.
Delhi ministers, however, are wary of the activist narrative. Minister Kapil Mishra labeled the suspect a “professional criminal,” noting his meticulous recce of the CM’s residence and suspecting deeper motive.

Investigation Continues As Story Deepens

Delhi Police, along with central agencies, are expanding probes into the attacker’s background. They are analyzing deleted call logs, visuals, documents, and his movements across Gujarat, Ujjain, and Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, CM Gupta described the assault as a “cowardly attempt” not only on her person but also on the government’s commitment to serve the public—insisting she’ll resume duties soon after recovering.

Security Concerns Take Center Stage

The incident has sparked urgent scrutiny of security protocols for public officials. With the assailant reportedly having conducted surveillance at the venue a day prior, the lapse raises serious concerns about preparedness and risk management.

Subsequent public events by CM Gupta have also seen heightened alertness. In a recent gathering in Gandhi Nagar, police removed two men suspected of causing a disturbance—a sign that tensions remain high.

What began as a bizarre claim about saving the lives of stray dogs has turned into a complex case intertwining animal welfare, mental stability, criminal history, and potentially political undercurrents. With investigations ongoing, the full motive behind the shocking assault on CM Rekha Gupta remains uncertain.