Atishi video matter: Punjab officials told to submit replies

New Delhi: The Committee of Privileges of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has directed the additional chief secretary (Home), Govt of Punjab; the director general of police, Punjab; and the commissioner of police, Jalandhar, to submit their written replies by Feb 20 in the privilege matter related to alleged remarks attributed to AAP functionary Atishi. "This shall be treated as the last and final opportunity for furnishing the comments and material sought by the committee," an official said.
The assembly panel has sought specific documents from the additional chief secretary (Home), Punjab, including copies of the complaint and enclosures forming the basis of the FIR, the FIR itself, and the Forensic Science Laboratory report. The replies and documents must be submitted within the stipulated time for consideration under the Rules of Procedure. Failure to do so may be treated as a breach of privilege and contempt, the official added. The matter stems from complaints of breach of privilege filed in Jan over alleged remarks made by Atishi on the floor of the House. Police had registered an FIR on a complaint claiming that a manipulated version of a video clip of Atishi's remarks in the Assembly had been circulated. The clip allegedly contained content deemed objectionable and disrespectful towards Sikh Gurus. The Committee of Privileges is examining the matter, including the conduct of the authorities concerned. Meanwhile, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned under what authority the BJP govt had asked the Punjab DGP to appear before the Privileges Committee, adding that BJP earlier claimed assemblies had no such powers. AAP has reiterated that Atishi made no "insulting" remarks.