Row over Assembly video: Delhi Speaker seeks explanation from Punjab Police

PTC Web Desk: Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Saturday said notices have been issued to three senior Punjab Police officials, seeking their response within 48 hours over the registration of an FIR against Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra using a video clip from the Assembly proceedings.

Addressing a press conference, Gupta stated that notices were sent to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), the Special DGP (Cyber Crime), and the Police Commissioner of Jalandhar for what he termed a “breach of the privileges of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.”

Gupta argued that the video recording of Assembly proceedings is the property of the House and its use by the Punjab Police to lodge an FIR was “unfortunate” and amounted to an attack on the dignity and sanctity of the legislature. He added that further action against the police officials concerned would be decided after their replies are received.

The controversy stems from the circulation of an Assembly video clip by Kapil Mishra and several BJP MLAs, who alleged that Leader of Opposition Atishi had insulted Sikh Guru Guru Tegh Bahadur during a debate held earlier this week. The discussion related to an event commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru.

Based on a complaint, the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate registered an FIR against Mishra and others for allegedly uploading and sharing an edited and manipulated video of Atishi’s remarks.

Gupta said the Delhi Assembly has formally sought all documents and the forensic analysis report on which the Punjab Police based its claim that the video clip was doctored.

The Speaker also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government, accusing it of misusing the state police for political purposes. Meanwhile, BJP legislators have demanded the cancellation of Atishi’s Assembly membership over the alleged remarks against the Sikh Guru.