New Delhi, Sept. 28 -- Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday over the "Slapgate" row, accusing the opposition of shielding criminals and running an extortion racket in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference, Verma defended the government's stance and alleged that AAP leaders have a history of assaulting public servants and shielding goons.

"Today in Delhi, you are coming to save a person who was arrested by the Delhi Police three months ago. He is the man who beat up a small MCD employee, a contractor's worker, and left him half-dead. You are coming to save your goon like this. This shows that these goons are yours too, and that the extortion racket all your MLAs are ...