NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Thursday sought a response from deputy chief minister Parvesh Verma and the city police on a petition seeking an independent investigation into an alleged slapping incident involving the BJP leader.The incident took place during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar on September 27. The man slapped by Verma has identified himself as Sahib Singh and claimed to be an associate of Tilak Nagar AAP MLA Jarnail Singh.Singh has also said he handles the MLA’s social media accounts.

According to news agency PTI, Justice Sachin Datta has issued notices to Verma and the police and directed them to file their replies along with a status report.

The respondents, meanwhile, questioned the maintainability of the petition.

Petitioner also seeks protection

Apart from an independent probe, Singh’s petition has sought police protection for him and his family members."The minister lost his cool after seeing me openly challenging his claims of the road work, and he kicked and slapped a youth in Tilak Nagar. I have filed a defamation case against minister Verma. He has seven days to respond to why he slapped a youth and apologise," Singh said at a press conference earlier.The court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 17.