The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Delhi Police and Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma on a plea seeking an independent probe 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 filed by Sahib Singh, who claims to be an associate of Tilak Nagar Aam Aadmi Party MLA Jarnail Singh and says he handles the legislator’s social media accounts. Singh has sought protection for himself and his family, preservation of CCTV footage and electronic evidence, and an investigation independent of the local police.
According to the petition, Verma allegedly slapped Singh during an inspection of a newly laid road on September 27. Singh claimed he was recording the proceedings on his mobile phone when the minister allegedly became agitated over questions about the quality of road construction and allegations of corruption. He further alleged that he was abused and threatened, and that his phone containing video recordings was forcibly taken and damaged.
The petition stated that the incident was recorded and streamed on social-media platforms. Singh said he approached the station house officer of the Vikas Puri police station with a complaint on the day of the incident and later submitted a detailed complaint to the police commissioner on September 29. The complaint sought a fair investigation, legal action and protection for Singh and his family.
Singh also alleged that a member of Verma’s security team pushed him and helped the minister leave the location, while police officials present at the site did not intervene. He claimed that he subsequently received threats and abusive messages and calls from different numbers and social-media accounts.
The police counsel objected to the maintainability of the petition during the hearing. The court has not determined the truth of the allegations. Its order seeks responses from the police and Verma, while the status report is expected to place the agency’s account before the court.
The case brings a road inspection into a wider public accountability process. The dispute began at a site where questions were reportedly raised about roadwork, but the court proceedings now also concern the handling of electronic evidence, alleged threats, police conduct and the safeguards available to a complainant seeking protection.
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. Verma’s side, as reported in the petition and coverage of the incident, has alleged that Singh abused his family.
The court’s next listed hearing is on November 17. Until then, the police are required to respond to the petition and file their status report, while Verma has been asked to submit his reply.
