Atishi video row: Punjab govt not giving FIR file, claims Delhi Assembly speaker

New Delhi: Delhi Assembly speaker Vijender Gupta on Friday claimed that the AAP-led Punjab govt had held back a file related to the details of an FIR registered by the state police over alleged derogatory remarks against Sikh Gurus. The assembly will not compromise with the honour of Sikh Gurus, Gupta said. He expressed "deep concern" over the conduct of Punjab govt regarding the alleged insult of Sikh Gurus by leader of the opposition Atishi during the winter session of Delhi Assembly.
Continued withholding of the related file raises several serious questions, Gupta said. Neither a copy of the FIR was provided nor was the complaint shared, he claimed, adding that no official investigation report was also made public."This situation gives rise to suspicion of a conspiracy. Silence and repeated delays witnessed in this matter indicate a deliberate attempt to conceal facts. The links of this case appear to extend directly to the chief minister of Punjab, which further adds to the gravity of the issue," he claimed.No immediate reaction was available from AAP in Delhi over the latest allegations. An AAP functionary in Punjab said, "He is the speaker of Delhi Assembly, not Punjab Assembly. He has no legislative jurisdiction over the working of police of another state. He... referred to some forensic report by Delhi govt but is yet to make it public."Punjab home secretary Alok Shekhar and Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav refused to speak on the matter. Punjab Police has sent a reply through the home department to a notice from Delhi Assembly, justifying the registration of the FIR on the basis of a report of State Forensic Science Laboratory in Mohali. The forensic test of the clip allegedly revealed that the video was tampered with, according to Punjab Police. A forensic lab in Delhi, which later examined the clip on the direction of the speaker, however, allegedly found it to be genuine.The privileges committee of Delhi Assembly is looking into the alleged incident that took place on Jan 6 during a discussion commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary. Atishi, in her reply to the committee, has refuted the charge and demanded an unedited video recording of the related House proceedings.Gupta asserted, "This is not merely an administrative or political issue... Any negligence or insensitivity in such a sensitive matter is completely unacceptable." Delhi Assembly had sought replies from top Punjab Police officers as well as copies of the complaint based on which the FIR was registered, the FIR itself and the forensic report.