AAP leaders detained during protest at Police HQ over Parvesh Verma slapping row
AAP leaders were detained at Delhi Police HQ during a protest demanding an FIR against Parvesh Verma following a slapping controversy.
Tensions escalated in the national capital on Tuesday as several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were detained by authorities during a demonstration at the Delhi Police Headquarters. The protesters were demanding the immediate registration of an FIR against Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma following an alleged slapping incident that has sparked a massive political row.
The Spark: A Slapping Controversy in Tilak Nagar
The current unrest stems from a confrontation that occurred during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar on Sunday. A video circulating on social media appears to show Minister Parvesh Verma slapping a man who was recording the proceedings. The incident reportedly broke out during a heated argument regarding the quality of road construction in the area.
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj has leveled serious accusations against the Minister, claiming the assault was unprovoked. According to Bharadwaj, a 22-year-old man was filming video evidence of corruption when the Minister allegedly snatched his phone, threw it away, and assaulted him before fleeing the scene.
"Two days back, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma slapped a 22-year-old Gen Z before the media without any provocation... The young man was shooting videos as proof of corruption," Bharadwaj stated, accusing the BJP of using hooliganism to silence accountability.
Shelly Oberoi, another prominent AAP leader, joined the criticism, questioning whether BJP ministers intend to answer public accountability with physical violence. She characterized the incident as an attempt to crush the voices of the youth.
Counter-Allegations: Assault on Police Head Constable
While AAP demands action against Verma, the Delhi Police have initiated their own legal proceedings following a separate incident involving a police official. An FIR has been registered against AAP leaders, including Saurabh Bharadwaj and Jarnail Singh, as well as several workers, in connection with the alleged assault of a Head Constable.
According to police reports, the Head Constable was in plain clothes recording video during former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Tilak Nagar when he was reportedly surrounded and assaulted by a crowd of AAP supporters. The official subsequently underwent a medical examination.
Key details of the police investigation:
- FIR Details: The police have registered a case under sections related to assaulting and obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their official duties.
- Named Individuals: The FIR mentions Saurabh Bhardwaj, Jarnail Singh, and various AAP workers, with a separate case registered against Sahib Singh.
- The Incident: Police claim the assault occurred while the officer was documenting the visit of Arvind Kejriwal.
The situation has created a complex legal and political deadlock. While Parvesh Verma maintains that his actions were a reaction to provocation by AAP workers, the AAP continues to press for criminal charges against the Minister. The Delhi Police are currently managing multiple complaints arising from these overlapping confrontations in Tilak Nagar.