A Delhi court has ordered attempt to murder charges against two accused in the August attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing in Civil Lines.

A Delhi court on Saturday directed that attempt to murder charges be framed against two men accused of attacking Rekha Gupta during a public outreach programme earlier this year, ruling that a prima facie case is established against them.

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann in connection with the August 20 incident, when the Chief Minister was assaulted during a Jan Sunwai at her camp office in the Civil Lines area. The accused—Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh—are alleged to have conspired to carry out the attack.

According to the court, preliminary evidence supports charges under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal conspiracy, obstructing a public servant, use of criminal force, and attempt to murder. The judge observed that the accused appeared to have acted in a “planned and calculated manner,” noting that security around an elected head of government was breached.

Prosecutors told the court that the two accused were in regular contact before the incident and that money transfers and phone communications pointed to coordination. One of the accused is also alleged to have injured a bystander who intervened to protect the Chief Minister. The matter has been listed for formal framing of charges on December 26.The court’s findings underline growing concerns over the safety of public representatives during open grievance forums, which are meant to strengthen citizen-government interaction. The case may prompt a review of security protocols at public hearings, balancing accessibility with protection.