The Delhi High Court sought a response from the Delhi Police and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Parvesh Verma on a petition alleging that Verma assaulted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker Sahib Singh during an inspection of road construction works in West Delhi on September 27.
Justice Sachin Datta directed the Delhi Police to place a status report on record and listed the matter for further consideration in November. Appearing for the respondents, counsel raised a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the petition and opposed the reliefs sought by Singh.
The petitioner has sought an independent investigation into the alleged assault, besides police protection for himself and his family, claiming that he has been subjected to threats and intimidation following the incident.
Singh has also sought constitution of an independent inquiry committee under the supervision of the High Court and headed by a former High Court judge. The proposed inquiry, according to the plea, should examine the allegations in their entirety, including CCTV footage, electronic material and relevant police records.
The petition states that Singh was accompanying AAP MLA Jarnail Singh during an inspection of road construction works along the Outer Ring Road, reportedly in connection with allegations of substandard construction material and deficiencies in the execution of the project. Singh alleges that during the inspection, Verma and others confronted him, following which he was allegedly slapped, abused and physically assaulted.
It is further alleged that Singh’s mobile phone, which purportedly contained recordings of the incident, was forcibly taken and damaged. The petitioner has also alleged that an unidentified individual assaulted him in his private parts during the altercation.
Following the incident, Singh lodged a complaint at the Vikas Puri Police Station, pursuant to which a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) was registered under Section 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The petitioner, however, contends that the NCR fails to adequately capture the nature and extent of the allegations levelled by him.
The plea alleges that the police action so far has been inadequate and seeks an impartial investigation by an independent mechanism, contending that a fair probe is necessary in view of the allegations of physical assault, destruction of electronic evidence and subsequent threats.
Singh has also sought immediate protection for himself and his family, asserting that he apprehends further intimidation in the aftermath of the alleged incident.
The notice issued by the High Court calls upon the respondents to respond to the allegations and the reliefs sought in the petition. The matter is now slated to be taken up in November.
The post Delhi High Court seeks police response on AAP worker’s plea alleging assault by Parvesh Verma appeared first on India Legal.