Delhi polls: BJP’s Parvesh Verma faces action for ‘distributing’ shoes to electors

Returning officer orders investigation into BJP candidate allegedly distributing shoes at temple, violating poll code; corruption charges denied.

The returning officer for the New Delhi Assembly segment has directed the police to investigate an incident of BJP candidate Parvesh Verma allegedly distributing shoes to electors at a Valmiki temple in violation of the poll code.

Citing complaints received about the alleged act of "corruption," the returning officer has instructed the station house office of the area to initiate the action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and has sought an action-taken report at the earliest.

Mr. Verma, however, claimed that he honoured the sanitation workers by placing shoes on their feet at the temple and no footwear was distributed.

Police sources confirmed that a non-cognizable report (NCR) has been filed based on the complaint against Mr. Verma, and further investigation has been initiated.

Under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (1) (A), offering or distributing any gift, gratification, or promise by a candidate or their agent, or by any person with the candidate's consent, to any elector is considered a corrupt practice.

According to the returning officer's order, advocate Rajnish Bhaskar filed a complaint through WhatsApp, alleging that Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi seat, was distributing shoes to electors at the Valmiki Temple near the Mandir Marg Police Station.

The complainant also submitted two videos purportedly showing Mr. Verma "distributing" shoes to women.