Parvesh Verma ‘slaps’ man during road inspection; under fire, Delhi minister adds ‘context’

A video purportedly showing Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma slapping a man during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar has sparked a political row. The video, which surfaced on social media on Sunday (September 26), shows Verma allegedly hitting a man who was recording the inspection.

AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, who represents Tilak Nagar and was at the site, questioned the quality of the newly laid road by pulling out portions of its surface with his hand. A young man nearby was filming the proceedings when Verma allegedly slapped him. He claimed to be an associate of Jarnail Singh.

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Singh shared the video on social media, following which AAP leaders demanded Verma’s arrest. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the minister lost his composure after residents raised questions about the quality of the road. The young man, who was assaulted, later lodged a complaint against Verma at Vikaspuri Police Station.

Verma denies charges, hits back

Responding to the allegations, Verma said the video being circulated by the Aam Aadmi Party was presented without context and accused the local AAP MLA of demanding a commission from the road contractor.

Verma said that Singh had complained of poor road construction work and when he visited the spot, he requested the AAP MLA to also come there. However, Verma alleged that Singh called AAP workers at the site and they abused him and his family, which led him to react in a manner any common man would do. His version did not include why he chose the young man specifically to vent his ire on.

Verma said the Delhi government would get its road works independently audited, including through core-cutting tests, to establish the quality of construction.

He also alleged that attempts to obstruct government work or demand commissions would not be tolerated, while claiming that several roads in Delhi were being constructed after remaining neglected for years.

AAP leaders question road quality

Kejriwal shared the video on X and said that he would visit Tilak Nagar on Monday to inspect the road.

According to the video, Verma was inspecting the road when Singh arrived at the spot and pulled out portions of its surface with his hand, alleging that the material was of poor quality and coming off easily.

Singh alleged that Verma had no response when questioned about the quality of the road and instead slapped the man recording the proceedings.

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that when Singh and local residents pulled out the road material by hand, Verma could not respond to their questions and instead slapped the young man, identified as Saheb Singh. He further alleged that the minister left the spot afterwards.

Oppn steps up attack on Verma

AAP leader and Leader of Opposition Atishi alleged that public money had been spent on constructing a "poor quality" road and demanded that the Delhi Police immediately arrest Verma.

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Congress leader Alka Lamba also criticised the alleged incident in a post on X. Referring to the minister, she said, “The intoxication of power is going to the heads of BJP leaders… soon the time will come when the same public will turn around and give exactly this kind of reply.”

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh contrasted the incident with the 10-year tenure of the Kejriwal government, saying AAP ministers and leaders used to meet people, listen to their problems and address their concerns.

He accused the BJP government of failing to respect people who question alleged corruption.

AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar alleged, “Verma was acting like a goon rather than a minister” and demanded immediate police action against him.

(With agency inputs)