Jalandhar: The Delhi assembly privileges committee on Saturday issued summons to the Punjab additional chief secretary-home, DGP, and Jalandhar police commissioner to appear in person on Feb 27, and bring along written comments regarding complaints of breach of privilege and contempt in the Atishi video controversy.
The summons were issued after Punjab home department on Friday sent a reply to the Delhi assembly privileges committee citing an opinion from the Punjab Advocate General, and arguing that the proceedings be "reconsidered and the matter be closed".
The state's reply contended that in view of the legal position, and considering that the matter was sub judice, copies of records sought -- including the complaint, technical reports, and forensic reports forming part of the investigation -- could not be furnished. However, under condition of confidentiality, a copy of the FIR was enclosed with the reply.
The communiques to the Punjab officers on Saturday said that they were required to furnish their comments on the privilege matter on or before February 20 which were not received by this Secretariat by the stipulated time.
The letter said that the communication sent by Punjab's undersecretary (home-II branch), incorporating extracts of the opinion of Punjab Advocate General, was taken on record and would be considered appropriately.
"However, as already mentioned in this secretariat's letter of Feb 13, matters of privilege are personal to the individual concerned and have to be answered in your individual capacity. In view of the above, you are hereby required to appear in person," the notices sent by Delhi assembly secretary Ranjit Singh read.
Along with the written comments, the notice to ACS-home Alok Shekhar asks for copies of the complaint and enclosures on the basis of which the FIR was registered, plus copies of the FIR, social media expert's report, technical cell report and Forensic Science Laboratory report. However, neither the comments nor the documents were received in the stipulated time, the letter says.
On Friday, DGP Gaurav Yadav had forwarded Jalandhar CP Dhanpreet Kaur's reply and his own reply to the ACS-home for sending these to the Delhi assembly secretary after approval of the competent authority in state govt.
In their earlier replies to Delhi assembly speaker, Punjab officers defended the FIR, arguing that police acted in accordance with law. They were put on notice on Feb 5 and told to submit their replies in a week. The Feb 13 letters from Delhi assembly secretary to the three officers noted that their comments were not received and gave them a final opportunity to submit their comments by Feb 20. Now, they have received a personal summons.
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IP Singh is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India. He cov...
Read MoreIP Singh is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India. He covers news in Jalandhar and neighbouring districts, and writes on politics, contemporary trends, Punjabi diaspora and heritage preservation. He specializes in deciphering religio-political peculiarities and complexities of Punjab. His hobbies include reading up on a variety of subjects.
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