New Delhi [India], January 10 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta issued notices to Punjab's DGP, Jalandhar Police Commissioner, and Special DGP Cyber Cell, giving them 48 hours to respond regarding an FIR filed over a doctored video clip of Assembly proceedings.
"The DGP Punjab, Police Commissioner Jalandhar, and Special DGP Cyber Cell, Punjab, have been issued notices and given 48 hours to submit their written explanations along with all relevant documents in response," said Gupta on Saturday while addressing a Press Conference held in the Conference Room at Delhi Assembly Premises.
According to the release, the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued a formal notice regarding the FIR registered in Jalandhar concerning the alleged doctored video clip of the Assembly proceedings.
The notice states that the House is already seized of the issue, and the video clip has been referred for forensic examination and to the Committee of Privileges. It also conveys the Speaker's concern about the Punjab Police's involvement in a matter considered to fall within the House's privileged domain and seeks a detailed explanation, along with relevant documents, from the relevant authorities.
The Speaker said that the matter is of extreme seriousness and constitutional importance and is directly linked to the dignity, authority, and privileges of the House. He emphasised that the issue is not confined to any individual or political party.
He stated that the video on the basis of which the FIR has been registered is not a personal recording but the official recording of the proceedings of the House, which is wholly the property of the Delhi Assembly. Misuse of the property of the House in this manner, and registration of an FIR against a Minister on the basis of such material, is not only unfortunate but also extremely serious and condemnable.
The Speaker clarified that any recording of proceedings inside the House is the exclusive property of the Assembly and does not belong to any political party, individual, or external agency. He questioned on what basis and under what authority the FIR in this matter was registered.
Gupta termed this a breach of legislative privilege, stating the video is the Assembly's property
Expressing concern, Speaker Vijender Gupta said that the role of the Police Commissioner of Jalandhar in the entire episode is highly questionable and appears prima facie to be a clear breach of the House's privilege. A direct case of privilege violation is therefore made out against him, and the House will consider it seriously.
He further stated that, at the Opposition's request and to ensure complete transparency and fairness, the video clip has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. However, describing the official recording of the House as "tampered" or "doctored" amounts to a direct attack on the dignity of the Assembly.
The Speaker stated that this is not merely a false allegation but appears to be a well-planned conspiracy aimed at undermining the prestige of the House and maligning constitutional institutions. He assured that anyone found directly or indirectly involved in this conspiracy will face the strictest possible action by the House.
As per the release, he reiterated that the Assembly knows how to safeguard its rights and privileges and will not compromise, at any cost, the dignity of the House, its assets, or its constitutional sanctity. The House has formally taken cognisance of the matter, and the necessary action, as per the rules, will be taken.
The Speaker further said that, despite repeated calls, the Leader of the Opposition did not appear before the House and did not participate in the discussion on pollution. During the ongoing discussion, Opposition members walked out of the House. She was asked to offer a brief apology, but she refused; otherwise, the matter would have ended there.