"Slapped for asking about corruption in road construction": Sahib Singh's lawyer on Parvesh Verma slapping row
Advocate alleges PWD Minister Parvesh Verma slapped Sahib Singh during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar after corruption questions were raised.
A massive political storm has erupted in Delhi following allegations that Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma assaulted a local youth, Sahib Singh, during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar. The incident, which reportedly took place while Singh was livestreaming the poor condition of a road, has led to heated protests and accusations of corruption and physical assault.
The Allegation: Corruption Questions Lead to Assault
According to Advocate Mankan Deep Singh Bammi, who is representing Sahib Singh, the confrontation began when Singh raised concerns regarding the quality of a stretch of the Outer Ring Road within the Tilak Nagar Assembly constituency. The lawyer alleges that the Minister's reaction to these questions was violent.
"Delhi's PWD Minister Parvesh Verma raised his hand and slapped Sahib Singh just because he asked about the corruption in road construction," Bammi told reporters. He further claimed that the Minister arrived at the scene after Singh's video regarding the road's condition went viral, seemingly intent on protecting his public image.
A Chaotic Scene at the Construction Site
The legal representative detailed a harrowing sequence of events. He alleged that AAP MLA Jarnail Singh brought the Minister to a specific spot where a newly constructed road was being dismantled to show its substandard quality. The lawyer claims that as Singh was livestreaming the crumbling infrastructure, the Minister became frustrated.
"Frustrated by this and unable to get a straight answer, Pravesh Verma went straight up to Sahib Singh... and slapped him," Bammi stated. He further alleged that a group of 14 to 15 individuals accompanying the Minister began pushing and kicking the youth, preventing him from speaking or defending himself.
Victim's Account: "The Road Crumbled Like Papad"
Sahib Singh provided a chilling account of the encounter, suggesting the Minister could not handle the exposure of the road's true state. Singh claimed that as the MLA inspected the road, pieces of it crumbled easily in his hand.
"Parvesh Verma had no idea he would be exposed. He did not expect the reality of the road to come to light," Singh said. He alleged that the Minister snatched his phone, twisted his arm, and slapped him, before allegedly issuing threats and allowing accompanying supporters to beat him.
Reflecting on the incident, Singh posed a poignant question to the public: "Can no one even ask a question these days? What are the youth of the country supposed to do?"
Police Response and Political Fallout
The incident has triggered significant tension between the political parties and the law enforcement agencies. Singh and his lawyer have expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi Police, alleging that despite the incident being recorded, an FIR was not immediately registered. The lawyer claimed they were made to wait at the Vikas Puri police station for over an hour before a complaint was finally filed.
The fallout has seen intense street action:
- AAP Protests: Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party staged protests demanding immediate legal action against the Minister.
- Detentions: Delhi Police detained AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj, MLA Kuldeep Kumar, and other party workers during the demonstrations.
- Counter-Allegations: Parvesh Verma has vehemently denied the assault allegations. In a video statement on X, he claimed that AAP supporters misbehaved with and verbally abused his family. He further accused the AAP MLA of demanding commissions from officials involved in road projects.