Delhi minister accuses the AAP MLA for allegedly demanding commission. Accepts having slapped the youth

New Delhi, 27 September 2026

Hours after a video went viral showing him allegedly slapping a youth during a road inspection in West Delhi, Delhi’s PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma late on Saturday released a 2 minute 56 second video clarification on X.

Verma admitted he slapped the person but said he was provoked because the youth, who he claims is an AAP worker, abused his family.

Speaking in the video Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said “You should know the truth behind a video currently being circulated by the Aam Aadmi Party. Road construction work has been underway on the Vikaspuri Ring Road for the past several days. The local MLA, Jarnail Singh, had been pressuring PWD engineers to introduce him to the contractor and arrange for a commission for him; he had been making this demand for quite some time. Our engineer has lodged a complaint at the police station and is getting an FIR registered.”

“Because Jarnail Singh did not receive any commission, he would go to the site in the morning — after the road was laid at night — and tear it up; he would then record and post videos claiming that corruption was taking place.”

“Today, while passing through that route, I told the engineers that I wanted to inspect the work myself. When I stopped and examined the site, I saw that the work was progressing very well. Local residents told me that this road had not been built for 15 years; it was finally being constructed after a decade and a half… I personally called the local MLA Jarnail Singh three times. I waited for him for 45 minutes. I had not called any of our own party workers to the site.”

“When Jarnail Singh arrived, he came with his own workers who had been informed in advance, and he immediately began behaving rudely. One of his workers started abusing my family. At that point, anyone who is provoked in such a situation may react, and I did the same. Jo hua vo nahi hona chahiye tha.” Said the minister Verma.

On the other hand the Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh and the youth — who identified himself as handling social media for the MLA — have given a different version. Singh said he accompanied Verma during the inspection and pointed out portions where the newly laid road surface was coming off like a carpet. “I thought he would check quality and take action against officials. Instead he slapped the person recording the incident and fled the spot,” Singh said.

The youth, wearing a black t-shirt, told ANI: “We came here after PWD called us. I showed how road was breaking apart. When this was pointed out, the Minister couldn’t handle it; he raised his hand against me, and his associates threatened to kill me.”

AAP said the SHO of Vikaspuri police station was present at the spot and helped the minister leave. AAP said it has called emergency number 112 and lodged an FIR demanding Verma’s arrest and apology.

AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal posted on X: “A minister of Modi ji slapped a young man publicly for exposing corruption in road construction. I will go to Tilak Nagar tomorrow and inspect this road.”

Former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had earlier called Verma a coward for attacking a child under police cover.

Delhi Police has not yet confirmed whether FIRs have been registered from both sides.