NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has received a complaint from a man who alleged that Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma slapped him during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar on Sunday, police sources cited by news agency PTI said.The complaint was submitted at Vikaspuri Police Station, and police are currently verifying the facts.The incident took place while Verma was inspecting a newly laid road in the area.AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, who was present at the spot, pulled out portions of the road surface by hand and questioned its quality.A man identified as Saheb Singh, who said he was associated with the MLA and handled his social media accounts, was recording the proceedings when Verma allegedly slapped him.A video of the incident has circulated on social media, prompting AAP leaders to demand action against the minister.
What the complainant alleged
Saheb Singh alleged that he was recording the inspection when Verma took his phone and slapped him. He further claimed that the minister’s security personnel restrained him and that BJP workers at the spot also misbehaved with him and threatened him.“I was recording a video when Parvesh Verma snatched my phone and raised his hand at me, which is clearly visible in the video. His security personnel held my hand and grabbed me by the neck, trying to press it, and pulled me away. Three to four BJP workers were also with him. They also misbehaved with me, raised their hands at me and threatened to kill me,” Singh said, as quoted by PTI.Speaking to news agency ANI, Singh alleged that the road was torn up to demonstrate its poor construction quality and claimed that Verma reacted after he questioned him while recording the proceedings.He also alleged that several people accompanying the minister assaulted and threatened him.Singh said he was willing to face arrest if evidence emerged that he had used abusive language.“The youth of the country demand an answer for that slap; the country will not stay silent… If any evidence emerges that I used abusive language, I am ready to turn myself in for arrest; I have stated this clearly”, he said.
Verma’s response
Verma disputed the allegations and said the video being circulated did not show the full context of the incident. He alleged that AAP workers had abused him and his family.“When one of their workers started hurling abuses at my family, any individual who comes and does that in such a situation, I did the same,” Verma said.The minister also accused Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh of seeking a commission in connection with the road project and alleged that his supporters were attempting to obstruct government work.Verma said the road had remained neglected for 15 years and that the Delhi government would independently audit road works, including through core-cutting tests, to assess their quality.
AAP demands action
AAP leaders have demanded action against Verma over the alleged incident. Jarnail Singh and other party workers also staged a protest in Tilak Nagar.Speaking to ANI, AAP MLA said, “Such behavior is unexpected from anyone, let alone a Minister. When a person holding such a high office acts this way, it suggests they are either intoxicated or consumed by extreme arrogance; yet, the public has witnessed this incident openly…
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The issue here is that the PWD Minister has been caught red-handed in corruption… If the Minister has the guts, let him order a CBI inquiry into this road project; everything will come to light... If the BJP has even a shred of morality left—they should immediately suspend him.”AAP leaders alleged that the minister had lost his composure after questions were raised over the quality of the road.AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised Verma over the incident, while other party leaders, including Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, also demanded action.Police have so far only said that the complaint has been received and that the facts are being verified.
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