New Delhi— A disturbing incident occurred during a weekly Jan Sunvai public hearing at the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in Civil Lines, where she was reportedly slapped by an attendee. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) described the event as a “mishap” and confirmed that one individual has been detained in connection with the assault. Delhi Police are conducting an inquiry to uncover further details.
According to sources familiar with the incident, a man attending the public grievance session approached the Chief Minister, handed her a piece of paper, and then verbally abused her before physically attacking her. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor stated that the assailant also pulled Gupta’s hair, suggesting possible criminal intent and political motives. The suspect is currently in custody at the Civil Lines Police Station, as reported by news agency ANI.
Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva issued a strong condemnation of the attack, emphasizing that a thorough police investigation will reveal the circumstances surrounding the incident. An eyewitness, identified as Anjali, expressed shock, stating, “This is wrong. Everyone has the right to Jan Sunvai. If an imposter can slap her, this is a big deal.” She noted that the attacker was speaking to the Chief Minister before suddenly striking her.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, who called it “very unfortunate” and raised concerns about women’s safety in the capital. “If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common man or woman be safe?” Yadav remarked, highlighting broader security issues. The Jan Sunvai initiative, designed to address citizens’ grievances directly, has been a hallmark of the Delhi government’s public engagement efforts.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked debates about security measures at public events involving high-profile officials. Authorities have yet to disclose the motive behind the attack, and further updates are awaited as the police probe deepens.
