CRPF takes over CM Rekha Gupta’s security after attack; Z category cover granted

A day after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was assaulted inside her official residence, the central government has handed her security detail to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), placing her under Z Category cover.

The move comes after a preliminary inquiry exposed “major lapses” in the Delhi Police’s response during the incident.

Under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Yellow Book guidelines, Z Category security comprises 22–25 personnel, including personal security officers, armed escorts, watchers, and static guards. Officials confirmed that CRPF personnel assumed command from Delhi Police late Wednesday night.

The handover follows scathing questions over why Gupta’s security team failed to act during the assault. “The Delhi Police personnel posted at the CM’s residence remained inactive,” a source said, adding that this inaction weighed heavily in the decision to shift her protection.

Meanwhile, panic swept the Capital again on August 22 as at least five city schools reported bomb threats via email, marking the third such scare in less than a week. Fire and emergency teams launched immediate searches, though no explosives were found.

The man accused of attacking Gupta, identified as Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakriya of Rajkot, Gujarat, told investigators he is an “animal lover” who has long worked for stray cattle welfare. Police said Sakriya had previously staged protests in Gujarat and even travelled to Ayodhya earlier this year to feed monkeys around the Ram Mandir.

The attack, coupled with repeated bomb threats to schools, has sharpened focus on Delhi’s security grid — and raised fresh concerns over preparedness against both lone-wolf actors and coordinated threats.