New Delhi: ‘Breach of privilege’: Delhi Assembly flags Punjab Police FIR against Kapil Mishra, use of Atishi’s clip
The Delhi Assembly on Friday took cognisance of an FIR registered by the Punjab Police against minister Kapil Mishra, and said strict action will be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner.
The FIR has been registered by the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate in connection with uploading and circulating an “edited” and “doctored” video of AAP MLA Atishi in the Delhi Assembly.
Using the clip, BJP leaders, including Law Minister Kapil Mishra, alleged on Tuesday that Atishi insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur in the Assembly during a debate on a programme organised by the Delhi government to mark the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh Guru last November.
“This (the FIR and use of the clip) amounts to a breach of privilege, and strict action will be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner, because the video clip is a property of the Delhi Assembly. We are taking cognisance of this matter,” Speaker Vijender Gupta said.
BJP chief whip Abhay Verma raised the matter in the Assembly on Friday, with his party MLAs demanding that the Punjab Police DGP and the Jalandhar police commissioner be summoned to the House.
The FIR is based on a video recording of the Assembly proceedings, which is the property of the House, Gupta said.
“Taking action on the video and registering an FIR against a minister is a serious issue. In this context, a clear case of breach of privilege is made out against the Jalandhar police commissioner,” he added.
“Recordings of Assembly proceedings belong exclusively to the House and to no one else; therefore, it is of utmost importance to know on what basis this case has been registered,” he said.
“The House will take cognisance of the matter and consider appropriate action against the Jalandhar police commissioner, since there has been unwarranted interference with House property,” Gupta said.
Speaker Gupta pointed out that the video clip has already been referred to the forensic science laboratory for examination following AAP MLAs’ demand.
“Since the recording belongs to the House, calling it tampered is against its dignity. Anyone found involved in this conspiracy will face strict action by the House. The House is formally taking cognisance of the matter,” the speaker said.
According to an official statement by the Punjab Police, quoting a spokesperson of the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate, an FIR under relevant provisions of law has been registered on the complaint of one Iqbal Singh regarding “uploading and circulating an edited and doctored video of Atishi”.
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