New Delhi: Gujarat-resident Sakariya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai, who has been booked for attempt to murder and taken into custody for allegedly attacking Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, was upset over the recent Supreme Court ruling asking to relocate all stray dogs in the Delhi-National Capital Region to shelters, ThePrint has learnt.
Rajesh (41), an autorickshaw driver from Rajkot’s Kothariya neighbourhood, is a “known dog lover” and has built a “temple” for dogs in his locality, a Gujarat police official told ThePrint.
After he was arrested in Delhi for allegedly attacking the chief minister, the Rajkot Police gathered information about him from his family who told them that he was upset about the Supreme Court order and possible action against dogs in Delhi.
The family also told the police he left home for Delhi Sunday noon.
“He has been a known dog lover in the Kothariya neighbourhood where his family lives and sends dogs in the neighbourhood to clinics when they fall ill,” Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagdish Bangarwa told ThePrint.
A record of criminal cases maintained by the Rajkot Police commissionerate suggests that Rajesh was booked in five cases in the past under sections ranging from 326 (causing grievous hurt by a dangerous weapon/poisonous substance) 504 (intentional insult causing quarrel or breach of peace), 114 (being present at the time of offence and assisting), as well as relevant provisions of the Prohibition Act in the dry state of Gujarat.
However, he has been acquitted in four cases.
After he allegedly attacked the Delhi chief minister Wednesday morning, footage from outside the CM’s residence accessed by ThePrint shows Rajesh purportedly getting off from a rickshaw in the Shalimar Bagh area where Rekha Gupta resides.
ThePrint earlier reported that two ministers in Gupta’s cabinet confirmed that Rajesh carried out a recce of Gupta’s residence Tuesday. They also said he came to the CM’s public hearing this morning with the sole purpose of attacking the chief minister, and hence, he was without any documents.
Rajesh has since been taken into custody by the Delhi Police which has booked him for attempt to murder among other charges.
“In the matter of attack on Hon’ble CM, a case u/s 109(1)/132/221 BNS has been registered at PS Civil Lines. Accused has been taken into police custody. Further investigation is going on. We are investigating it from all the possible angles,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 109(1) deals with attempt to murder, while 132 and 221 deal with assault on public servants, and obstructing public servants, respectively.
In the stray dogs case, the Supreme Court’s original order passed by a two-judge bench 11 August was referred to a larger three-judge bench and was heard 13 August. The larger bench has reserved the verdict, effectively meaning a status quo in the matter.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Dog lovers and dog feeders are absolute nuisances to human society. A well-knit community, their love for dogs, especially strays, far outweighs their love for fellow human beings. They can effortlessly feel the pain of a starving stray dog but are just unable to connect with the pain and fear of a young mother whose child was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs. It is this lack of empathy and compassion for fellow human beings which makes this community an absolute nuisance.
It’s really sad and disappointing that The Print has consistently batted on behalf of this community while putting the blame of dog-human conflict on the government.