NEW DELHI: AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police on Sunday amid his protest in Tilak Nagar over the alleged slapping of a youth by Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma during a road inspection.The development came as the political row over the incident intensified, with AAP leaders demanding action against Verma and BJP leaders defending the minister.Bharadwaj was protesting in Tilak Nagar over the incident involving Saheb Singh, who was seen in a video shared by AAP being slapped by Verma during the road inspection.The protest comes after a complaint was submitted at Vikaspuri Police Station by Saheb Singh, who alleged that Verma slapped him while he was recording the proceedings.Police have said the complaint was received and that the facts were being verified.AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, who was present during the road inspection, and other party workers also staged a protest in Tilak Nagar after the incident. Singh had questioned the quality of the newly laid road during the inspection.
What triggered the protest
The controversy began after a video surfaced showing Verma pulling down Saheb Singh’s mobile phone before appearing to slap him across the face during the road inspection.Singh has said he was associated with Jarnail Singh and was handling the MLA’s social media accounts when the incident occurred.Saheb has alleged that he was recording the inspection when Verma raised his hand against him. He also claimed that associates of the minister threatened him. A police complaint has been filed in connection with the incident.Verma, however, has disputed the allegations and said the video circulating on social media did not show the full context. He alleged that workers accompanying Jarnail Singh abused his family and said he reacted after that.He also accused the MLA of pressuring PWD engineers over the road project.
BJP, AAP trade allegations
The Delhi BJP has expressed regret over the incident while defending Verma and claiming that Saheb Singh was a “habitual offender.”BJP media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor also accused Jarnail Singh of bringing around 50 supporters to the inspection and “provoking” the minister.AAP leaders, meanwhile, have continued to demand action against Verma over the incident.The dispute has since expanded into a broader political confrontation between the BJP and AAP over the quality of the road, the conduct of the minister and the events at the inspection site.(With agency inputs)
