No FIR Yet in Parvesh Verma Slapping Video Case, Delhi Police Says

New Delhi: No First Information Report (FIR) has yet been registered in connection with the viral video involving Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma, Delhi Police said on Monday, as the controversy over an alleged slapping incident during a road inspection intensified.

The incident took place on Sunday in the Vikaspuri-Tilak Nagar area of west Delhi, where Verma was inspecting a newly constructed road. A video circulating on social media appears to show the minister pushing down the mobile phone of a man who was recording the proceedings before appearing to slap him.

What happened during the road inspection?

The man was identified as Sahib Singh, who has said that he was livestreaming the inspection while accompanying AAP MLA Jarnail Singh.

Earlier during the inspection, Jarnail Singh was seen showing Verma pieces of the newly laid road surface and questioning its quality. The footage later showed a confrontation between Verma and Sahib Singh.

Sahib Singh has denied abusing the minister and said he was recording the proceedings on the instructions of the AAP MLA. He has submitted a complaint to police seeking action against Verma.

What has Delhi Police said?

A senior Delhi Police official told Hindustan Times on Monday that an FIR had not been registered against Verma in connection with the incident.

Police said they had received complaints and were examining the allegations. Separately, PWD engineers and the contractor submitted two complaints alleging that Jarnail Singh and others had attempted to obstruct road work and had damaged the newly laid surface.

According to police, the complaints against Singh allege obstruction of public work and criminal intimidation, among other issues.

Parvesh Verma gives his version

Verma has defended his actions, saying the confrontation followed alleged abusive remarks about his family by people accompanying Jarnail Singh.

In a video statement, the minister said he reacted in the heat of the moment after the alleged abuse. He also accused Jarnail Singh of damaging the road because he was not receiving a commission from PWD workers. Singh has rejected that allegation.

The claims made by both sides are being examined by the authorities.

AAP demands FIR against minister

The incident has triggered a political dispute in Delhi. AAP leaders, including Saurabh Bhardwaj, Jarnail Singh and Kuldeep Kumar, staged a protest demanding registration of an FIR against Verma. Police detained the protesting leaders during the demonstration, according to reports.

AAP has alleged that the incident occurred after its workers raised questions about the quality of the road construction.

The BJP, meanwhile, described the incident as unfortunate. BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said Verma himself had termed his action wrong, while questioning the circumstances surrounding Jarnail Singh's arrival at the inspection site.

Investigation continues

The police inquiry is continuing, with complaints from different sides being examined. The video circulating online has become a central part of the controversy, but police have not yet announced a final finding on the incident.

As of Monday, no FIR had been registered over the alleged slapping incident involving Verma, according to Delhi Police. Further action will depend on the verification of the complaints and evidence collected during the inquiry.