HighLights
  1. Saurabh Bharadwaj detained during AAP protest in Tilak Nagar.
  2. Protest demands FIR against Minister Parvesh Verma for slapping youth.
  3. Verma denies allegations, claims verbal abuse by AAP workers.

Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police on Sunday during a protest in West Delhi's Tilak Nagar. Bharadwaj, along with local MLA Jarnail Singh and scores of party workers, had gathered to demand the registration of an FIR and the resignation of Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma over the alleged slapping of a youth.

AAP Accuses Police Of Collusion

Speaking to reporters before his detention, Bharadwaj accused the police of inaction despite video evidence.

ALSO READ: 'Snatched My Phone, Grabbed My Neck': Man Slapped By Parvesh Verma Alleges Assault, Death Threats By 'BJP Workers'

"We are going to the DCP office because the FIR has not been registered yet. When everything happened in front of the SHO, and everything is on video, why has the FIR not been registered? This is complete collusion by the police. This hooliganism will not be tolerated," Bharadwaj said as demonstrators raised slogans against the PWD minister.

Protesters Detained To Maintain Law And Order

Police officials intervened and took several participants into custody.

"To maintain law and order, some people have been detained and were removed to Jaffarpur Kalan Police Station," news agency PTI quoted a police source as saying.

How Did The Controversy Erupt?

A political row has erupted in Delhi after a video went viral showing Minister Parvesh Verma allegedly slapping a man during a road inspection. 

The victim, Saheb Singh, who manages social media accounts for AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, filed a complaint at Vikaspuri Police Station alleging he was manhandled by the BJP leader's bodyguard and threatened with death by party workers.

Describing the incident in a video shared by news agency PTI, Singh said, "We had come here for an inspection after Parvesh Verma called the MLA (Jarnail Singh) and asked him to show where the road was damaged. I was recording a video when Parvesh Verma snatched my phone and raised his hand at me, which is clearly visible in the video."

He further alleged, "His security personnel held my hand and grabbed me by the neck, trying to press it, and pulled me away," adding, "Three-four BJP workers were also with him. They also misbehaved with me, raised their hands at me and threatened to kill me."

Delhi Police said it has received the complaint and stated that the facts are being verified.

BJP Minister Alleges Verbal Abuse

Rejecting the allegations, Verma stated that the viral video did not convey the "whole truth" and that the incident was not solely about the road's condition.

Verma alleged that individuals accompanying the MLA abused his family during the visit.

"During the inspection, he called scores of party workers who were abusing my family, which cannot be tolerated," Verma said.

BJP vs AAP Over Slapping Incident

The Delhi BJP expressed regret over the incident while backing Verma, labelling Saheb Singh a "habitual offender."

ALSO READ: ‘Abused My Family’: Parvesh Verma Defends Slapping AAP Worker, Says MLA Sought Commission; Kejriwal Demands Arrest

BJP media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor accused MLA Jarnail Singh of bringing around 50 supporters to the site to provoke the minister.

With AAP demanding an immediate FIR against Verma and BJP leaders defending their minister, the dispute has turned into a major political row.

(With Inputs From Agencies)


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