Returning Officer of New Delhi Assembly Constituency on Wednesday directed SHO Mandir Marg Police Station to lodge an FIR and to initiate an immediate investigation on the complaint against BJP candidate Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma.

The action against BJP candidate follows a complaint from AAP leaders who alleged that Verma was seen distributing shoes to electors of New Delhi Assembly Constituency in the religious campus of Valmiki Temple near Mandir Marg Police Station.

The Returning Officer OP Pandey, in a letter to the Station House Officer, Mandir Marg Police Station, said a video forwarded by a complainant shows Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma distributing shoes to women.

"As per Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (1) (A), any gift, offer or promise by a candidate or his agent or by any other person with the consent of a candidate or his election agent of any gratification, to any person, comes under Corrupt practices," the poll official said.

"It is, therefore, directed that immediate investigation into the matter may be conducted and appropriate action for violation of MCC and action under Section 123 of RP Act, 1951 may be initiated, and action taken report to be submitted to the undersigned at the earliest," the returning officer said in the letter.

Earlier today, Parvesh filed his nomination for Delhi Assembly elections. Before that, he visited the Valmiki Temple and took the blessings of Maharshi Valmiki.

In a social media post, the BJP candidate stated, "Today, at the Valmiki Temple on Mandir Marg, I offered prayers and received the blessings of Maharishi Valmiki Ji. I also honored the NDMC sanitation workers, who, through their tireless efforts, keep Delhi clean and beautiful. As a gesture of respect, I personally presented them with shoes and sought their blessings. On this significant occasion of filing my nomination from New Delhi, I humbly recognized and appreciated their dedication and hard work."

The AAP shared a video of BJP candidate distributing shoes and slammed the Election Commission for not taking action against Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma. "Can't the Election Commission see democracy being murdered?" AAP said.

"On one hand, BJP candidate from New Delhi Assembly Pravesh Verma is openly distributing shoes on the streets. He is getting his photos and videos made. On the other hand, the District Election Officer (DM) is saying that nothing like this is happening. If the Election Commission does not take action on this video of open violation of the code of conduct, then what is the meaning of elections and democratic process," it added.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday alleged that his opponent in the New Delhi constituency, BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh, has been “distributing cash, liquor, as well as bed sheets, shoes and glasses, to voters”.

However, the BJP leader denied the charge and said the money was distributed as part of a drive by an NGO founded by his late father.