New Delhi, Apr 15 The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the trial against two persons for allegedly attacking Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at a public event in 2025.
The counsel for the accused persons urged the court to defer the trial court proceedings after Justice Anup J Bhambhani directed the FSL, Rohini, to expedite the forensic examination of their cell phones and sought a report within four weeks.
"I do not believe in staying something unless I am very clear that something wrong is going on or will go on. I do not see that at all... I still don't understand why you were in Delhi at all," Justice Bhambhani said.
The court was dealing with petitions by Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh against the framing of charges against them, including attempt-to-murder charges, in the case.
Justice Bhambhani observed that the cell phone was the "repository of all secrets" and, in this case, the examination of the accused persons' devices would help decipher the connection between them as neither belonged to Delhi.
A request to expedite the forensic examination of the cell phones was made by the Delhi Police lawyer.
The petitioners' lawyer stated that the trial court was scheduled to take up the matter on April 25, and if the proceedings were not stayed, the recording of evidence would start.
The trial court, on December 26, 2025, formally framed charges, including for attempt to murder, against the two persons accused of attacking the chief minister at a public event.
Gupta was attacked during a 'Jan Sunwai' programme at her camp office in the Civil Lines area on August 20, with her office terming the assault a part of a "well-planned conspiracy to kill her".
On December 20, 2025, the court had ordered the framing of charges against the duo under various penal provisions, including attempt to murder, saying there was a prima facie case against them.
The judge said that prima facie all ingredients for the offence punishable under BNS Sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 132 (using criminal force on a public servant while they are executing their duty), 109(1) (attempt to murder) are made out against both the accused.
Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were physically produced in the court.
Khimjibhai (41), a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat, was arrested and booked under attempt to murder and other charges. Shaikh has been accused of conspiring with his friend Khimjibhai.
According to the prosecution, both the accused held a meeting in Gujarat's Rajkot, and Shaikh transferred Rs 2,000 into Khimjibhai's account so that he could plan the attack.
On October 18, 2025, the Delhi Police filed a 400-page chargesheet against both the accused under various offences, including attempt to murder, assaulting and obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty, and criminal conspiracy.
