‘No one scared of your FIRs’, says Jarnail Singh after AAP leaders detained in Delhi

AAP MLA Jarnail Singh on Tuesday hit out at Delhi Police after party leaders and workers were detained amid protests over the controversy involving Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, declaring that “no one is scared of your FIRs”.

The fresh confrontation came as AAP stepped up its protests over Verma allegedly slapping 22-year-old Sahib Singh during an inspection of road repair work in Tilak Nagar. The party has questioned why only a non-cognisable report was filed against the minister while FIRs were registered against AAP leaders in connection with incidents surrounding the protest.

‘Not scared’

Reacting to the police action, Jarnail Singh said AAP leaders would continue raising their voice despite cases being registered against them. He accused the police of attempting to intimidate party workers through FIRs and detentions.

AAP leaders have alleged that the police response has been disproportionate and claimed the focus had shifted from the alleged slapping incident to cases against those protesting it. Delhi Police, however, has maintained that action was taken on the basis of complaints relating to obstruction and assault of personnel.

AAP leaders detained

Several AAP leaders and workers were detained during protests as the party sought action against Verma. The demonstrations followed Monday’s confrontation involving AAP supporters and a Delhi Police head constable who was in plain clothes.

Police have alleged that the head constable was recording videos when he was surrounded and assaulted by AAP supporters. An FIR was subsequently registered against AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Jarnail Singh and several party workers under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to obstruction of a public servant, assault or criminal force to deter a public servant and voluntarily causing hurt.

AAP has disputed the police account. Bharadwaj alleged that unidentified people had entered the party crowd and assaulted AAP workers, claiming they had been “planted” to create a confrontation.

Slapping row

The political row began after Verma allegedly slapped Sahib Singh during an inspection of repair work on a stretch of the Outer Ring Road between Janakpuri District Centre Chowk and the Najafgarh Drain.

Jarnail Singh, who was present during the inspection, had questioned the quality of the newly laid road after portions of its surface were pulled out by hand. Sahib Singh was filming the proceedings when Verma allegedly slapped him.

Police subsequently filed a non-cognisable report against Verma under a BNS provision relating to voluntarily causing hurt. A separate FIR was registered against Jarnail Singh following a complaint by a PWD assistant engineer alleging obstruction of public servants during the inspection.

Political face-off

AAP leaders, including Atishi and Sanjay Singh, have accused the authorities of acting selectively, questioning why an FIR was not registered against Verma while party leaders faced criminal cases and detention.

Verma has accused AAP workers of obstructing government officials during the inspection and has defended the government’s action against those allegedly interfering with official work. The competing allegations have intensified the political confrontation between AAP and the BJP in the Capital.