A day before the shocking attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the accused was seen near her ancestral home in Shalimar Bagh, according to CCTV footage that surfaced on Wednesday. The three-minute-eight-second video shows the accused, identified as Sakaria Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai from Rajkot, Gujarat, paying money to a rickshaw puller who had dropped him near the residence.

The footage further shows Khimjibhai conversing with the rickshaw puller before he leaves. The accused is then seen making a phone call, scrolling through his mobile, and allegedly recording a video of the surroundings. After this, he walks toward the premises and interacts with a person stationed at the gate.

The Chief Minister’s Office said the video clearly indicates that the attacker began preparations at least 24 hours before the incident. Earlier in the day, Rekha Gupta was assaulted during a public hearing at her residence while attending a ‘Jansunwai’ meeting. Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker approached her with some documents but suddenly started yelling before launching the attack.

Security personnel quickly overpowered him and took him to the Civil Lines Police Station. Sources suggest that an inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of this major security lapse, with Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh personally monitoring the investigation.

The Chief Minister sustained injuries to her hand and head during the assault and was taken for a medical check-up. Officials confirmed that a medico-legal case has been registered in connection with the attack.