Ruckus erupts outside Alok Verma’s residence after PSOs held two men for suspicious activity

NEW DELHI: A day before the Supreme Court is to hear CBI director Alok Verma 's plea against the decision to divest him of his powers, a controversy broke out over alleged "snooping" by Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel outside Verma's house — a charge denied by IB sources who said the men were on a routine patrol.There was high drama at the CBI chief's 2, Janpath residence in central Delhi on Thursday morning after his personal security officers roughed up and dragged four IB men inside the house after spotting their cars in the vicinity. While keeping tabs on incidents in VVIP zones is considered part of IB's functions, the fracas soon blew up into a major incident as allegations of snooping flew thick and fast.The IB men, bearing their identity cards, were on a round of the high security zone and had stopped after noticing an unusual gathering near Verma's residence, agency officials said. But the dramatic manner in which they were pulled into Verma's house by his security personnel snowballed into a major controversy.The first team of two officers was in a Celerio car parked on Tees January Lane while the other two arrived later in an Alto and were stationed behind Verma's residence. Around 7.30am, two of Verma's PSOs and other staff stormed out of the house and approached the persons in the Celerio. They inquired about their identity and while the duo immediately showed their cards, the PSOs insisted they come in and clarify to their seniors.When the IB officials tried to argue their case, a scuffle ensued and the PSOs began to drag the men in. One of the officials fell down on the road and got injured. Meanwhile, the police were informed and they rushed to the spot.IB sources told TOI that the agency had called in Delhi Police after its men were roughed up and dragged in public and media glare.