The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the city police and Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma on a petition seeking an independent investigation into an alleged assault during a road inspection in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar. The court has also asked the police to file a status report and listed the matter for further hearing on November 17.
Justice Sachin Datta issued notice on the petition, which was filed by Sahib Singh, who claims to be an associate of Tilak Nagar Aam Aadmi Party MLA Jarnail Singh and manages the legislator’s social media accounts. Singh has also sought protection for himself and his family, alleging threats and police inaction.
According to the petition, Singh was recording proceedings on his mobile phone during Verma’s inspection of a newly laid road on September 27. Singh alleged that the minister became agitated when questions were raised about the quality of road construction and alleged corruption, and that he was slapped, abused and threatened. He further claimed that his phone, which contained video recordings, was forcibly taken and damaged.
The allegations have not been adjudicated by the court. The report said videos of the exchange were recorded and streamed on social media. Verma has alleged that the man abused his family.
Singh’s petition seeks preservation of CCTV footage and electronic evidence, an independent investigation into allegations of assault and threats, and action over what he described as police inaction. He claimed that he approached the station house officer of Vikas Puri police station with a complaint on the day of the incident. He also said he submitted a detailed complaint to the police commissioner on September 29, seeking a fair investigation, legal action and protection for himself and his family.
The petitioner alleged that a member of Verma’s security team pushed him and helped the minister leave the location, while police personnel present at the site did not intervene. He further claimed that he had continued to receive threats, abusive messages and calls from different numbers and social-media accounts.
During the hearing, counsel for the police objected to the maintainability of the petition. The court nevertheless sought the police response and directed the filing of a status report. The petition also names Verma, who holds the Delhi PWD portfolio, for a response to the allegations.
The case places a public works inspection at the centre of a dispute involving alleged physical assault, the preservation of digital evidence and the conduct of police personnel at a government infrastructure site. The AAP welcomed the court’s notice and demanded an independent inquiry. Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the Delhi Police had not registered a first information report against Verma.
The court is scheduled to hear the matter again on November 17, when the responses from the police and the minister and the police status report are expected to be considered.
