Cops register non-cognisable report against Parvesh Verma amid slapgate row, FIR against AAP MLA Jarnail Singh

A separate FIR was filed against AAP MLA Jarnail Singh for obstruction and intimidation during the same incident, escalating tensions between BJP and AAP.

A non-cognisable report (NCR) was logged on Monday against Delhi public works department (PWD) minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Parvesh Verma on Monday, a day after he was seen slapping a man, later identified as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker Saheb Singh, even as Delhi Police registered a first information report against AAP MLA Jarnail Singh in a separate complaint filed by a PWD official.

The incident took place on Sunday when Verma was conducting an inspection of roadworks in west Delhi. (HT)

Details of the Incident

The incident took place on Sunday when Verma was conducting an inspection of roadworks in west Delhi’s Vikaspuri. AAP alleged that the incident followed questions over the quality of road construction, while Verma said he reacted after AAP workers allegedly abused his family.

On Monday, Delhi Police registered an NCR against the minister under section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police also registered a FIR based on a separate complaint by a PWD assistant engineer in which he alleged that AAP’s Jarnail Singh, who is the MLA for the Tilak Nagar constituency and for whom Saheb Singh works, had turned up to the site of the roadworks on September 24, tried to forcefully stop work, and “illegally demanded money”.

A senior police officer said that the FIR was registered on charges of criminal intimidation and obstruction of duty, but did not confirm whether Jarnail Singh had been named.

An NCR pertains to relatively minor offences where police cannot arrest an accused or begin an investigation without a magistrate’s permission. An FIR, on the other hand, records a cognisable offence, in which police can arrest a suspect without a warrant and initiate the legal process.

Apart from the one filed by Saheb Singh against Verma and the two by PWD officials against Jarnail Singh and others on Sunday, police on Monday said two more complaints were filed by BJP workers alleging that Verma was mistreated during the incident. Police said all five complaints were submitted at the Vikaspuri and Tilak Nagar police stations.

Meanwhile, AAP continued to press for an FIR against Verma with Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj, Jarnail Singh, senior leader Mahabal Mishra, and several councillors staging a protest outside the Vikaspuri police station.

Speaking outside the Vikaspuri police station, Bharadwaj alleged that the police had taken the AAP leaders inside the police station on the assurance that an FIR would be registered, but later refused to do so. He said the party leaders would remain outside the police station until an FIR was registered.

Delhi Police later detained the leaders. Police officials did not respond to the allegations nor why an FIR had not been registered.

Separately, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also visited the site where the incident took place along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Jarnail Singh, national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda and party workers. The former Delhi CM demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismiss Verma, have him arrested and make him apologise to the people of Delhi over the incident. He also demanded a thorough probe into the alleged corruption in the construction of the road and action against officials found responsible.

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said the incident involving Verma “should not have happened”, but alleged that the confrontation followed deliberate abusive language and an attempt to vitiate the atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to the NCR against Parvesh Verma?

What is the difference between an NCR and an FIR?

What demands did Arvind Kejriwal make following the incident?

What actions did AAP take after the incident?

Powered ByAsk HT