The Centre moved swiftly to shift Delhi Police chief amid mounting criticism over serious security lapses leading to attacks on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, August 21, 2025 — Barely 24 hours after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was assaulted at her Civil Lines camp office, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday replaced Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh with senior IPS officer Satish Golcha, in what officials described as a “decisive step” to address serious security lapses.
The unprecedented move comes amid mounting outrage over the attack, which exposed glaring breaches in the Chief Minister’s Z-category security.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, August 20, around 8:15 am, during Gupta’s weekly Jan Sunwai (public grievance hearing). A 41-year-old autorickshaw driver from Rajkot, Gujarat — Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya — allegedly posed as a complainant, walked up to the Chief Minister with documents, and suddenly lunged at her. He reportedly grabbed her arm and slapped her, leaving injuries to her hand, shoulder, and head.
Investigators revealed that Sakariya had carried out reconnaissance of Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh residence and Civil Lines office a day earlier, recording videos of the premises. Police suspect a “well-planned conspiracy” and are probing possible political or criminal motives.
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Sakariya, who faces five prior criminal cases in Gujarat, including stabbing, was arrested on the spot and remanded to five-day police custody. His phone and social media activity are under forensic analysis.
Commissioner Removed, CRPF Steps In
The MHA acted swiftly by removing SBK Singh, who had been appointed acting Commissioner on August 1. His tenure was cut short following what officials termed an “unacceptable breakdown of security.”
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Attacker a Rickshaw Puller from Gujarat https://t.co/6l0kpUl1VP #RekhaGupta #DelhiCM #DelhiAttack #Rajkot #SecurityBreach #JanSunwai
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) August 20, 2025
Satish Golcha, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Delhi’s new Police Commissioner. Golcha, currently DG (Prisons), earlier served as Special Commissioner (Intelligence) in Delhi and DGP of Arunachal Pradesh. His appointment is effective immediately.
Meanwhile, the CRPF has assumed control of Gupta’s security, deploying 22–25 armed personnel for round-the-clock protection. The Home Ministry has also ordered a comprehensive review of the CM’s security grid.
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CM Vows to Continue Public Hearings
Breaking her silence, Gupta took to X (formerly Twitter) to reassure supporters. Calling the attack a “cowardly attempt” to derail her work, she said:
“Such attacks can never break my spirit or my resolve to serve the people. I will be among you with even more energy and dedication than before.”
