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Just a day after a video showing Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma slapping an AAP worker during a road inspection triggered a political row, a Delhi Police
head constable was assaulted by AAP supporters during former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Tilak Nagar. The head constable, who was in plain clothes and was carrying out videography and information-gathering duties, was surrounded and manhandled by a group of AAP supporters while recording Monday’s protest march. He was later medically examined, and Delhi Police is considering registering an FIR in the matter, according to police sources.
Visuals of the incident show the head constable, wearing a green T-shirt, recording the march as a crowd of AAP leaders and supporters moved through Tilak Nagar. Delhi Police personnel can be seen manning barricades in the area. The head constable is then seen being surrounded, with some protesters pushing him before other police personnel intervene and escort him away. Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh can also be seen in the footage pointing towards the head constable as the crowd rushes towards him.
The incident took place during Kejriwal’s visit to inspect a newly constructed road in the area. The AAP national convenor questioned the quality of the road and alleged irregularities in its construction, demonstrating how portions of the newly laid surface could be pulled apart by hand. Kejriwal also demanded action against Parvesh Verma over the previous day’s alleged slapping incident.
The earlier controversy erupted on Sunday when a video showed Verma slapping Sahib Singh, an associate of Jarnail Singh, during an inspection of the road. Singh had been recording the proceedings when the confrontation took place. Verma has disputed the AAP’s account, alleging that Singh had abused his family and accusing Jarnail Singh of seeking a commission in road-related work.
The police action in that case has also become part of the political dispute. Delhi Police has filed a non-cognisable report (NCR) against Verma, while an FIR was registered against Jarnail Singh over allegations including obstruction of public servants.
Police had said five complaints had been received in connection with the wider controversy.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Anurag Dhanda questioned why a plainclothes police officer was present during Kejriwal’s visit and alleged that the deployment may have been intended to provoke a confrontation.
