The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the city police and Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma on a petition seeking an independent probe into an alleged slapping incident during a road inspection in west Delhi and subsequent threats to the petitioner.
Justice Sachin Datta issued notices to the police and Mr. Verma and directed the police to file a status report. The court will hear the matter next on November 17. During the hearing, police counsel questioned the maintainability of the petition, which also seeks protection for petitioner Sahib Singh and his family.
According to the petition, Mr. Verma allegedly slapped Mr. Singh during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar on September 27. Mr. Singh said he had been recording the proceedings on his mobile phone when the minister allegedly became agitated over questions about the quality of road construction.
The petitioner alleged that he was slapped, abused and threatened, and that his mobile phone, which contained video recordings of the incident, was forcibly taken and damaged. He also stated that footage of the incident was recorded and streamed on social media platforms.
The petition said Mr. Singh immediately submitted a written complaint to the Station House Officer of Vikas Puri police station seeking legal action. It alleged that no effective action followed and that the police personnel present at the site did not intervene when a member of the minister’s security team allegedly pushed Mr. Singh and helped Mr. Verma leave the location.
Mr. Singh has also claimed that his private mobile number was circulated after the incident. According to the plea, he and his family subsequently received repeated abusive, threatening and intimidating calls, along with WhatsApp messages and social media communications from unknown numbers and accounts.
The petition seeks an independent investigation into the allegations of assault, threats and police inaction. It also asks the court to direct the preservation of CCTV footage and electronic evidence connected with the incident. The petitioner has sought protection for his life and liberty, as well as for his family members.
The plea argued that concerns over the conduct of police personnel and the independence of an investigation by the local police had compelled Mr. Singh to approach the High Court. The allegations have not been adjudicated by the court, and the notices seek responses from the respondents before the matter is considered further.
The Delhi High Court’s next scheduled hearing on November 17 is expected to provide the respondents an opportunity to place their replies and the police status report on record.
