New Delhi, February 14 The Delhi Assembly has once again sought documents related to a case registered in Jalandhar, Punjab, over a video clip that allegedly showed remarks made by Atishi, the Leader of the Opposition, against Sikh Gurus.
The Assembly Secretariat wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Police, and other officers in Punjab on Friday, requesting their replies by February 20.
It has also directed the Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab to submit copies of the FIR registered in Jalandhar, the complaint based on which the case was registered, and the reports from the forensic lab, social media expert, and the police's technical cell.
The issue stems from an alleged remark made by Atishi during the winter session of the Delhi Assembly in January.
BJP leaders had alleged that Atishi's remark was derogatory towards Sikh Gurus, and they shared a video clip of Assembly recordings on social media.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police registered a case against the sharing of the video clip, based on a forensic lab report that claimed it was "manipulated".
The issue was later referred to the Delhi Assembly's Privileges Committee, and following the directions of Speaker Vijender Gupta, the video clip was sent for another forensic examination. The forensic lab report claimed that the video shared by the BJP leaders was not tampered with.
Atishi has denied the charges against her in her submission to the Privileges Committee and demanded the Assembly recordings.
The Assembly Secretariat, in its letter to the Punjab officers, stated that their replies and documents are required to be submitted within the stipulated time for consideration by the Privileges Committee in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Failure to do so may be considered a breach of privilege and contempt.
The Assembly had earlier requested the Punjab officers to submit their replies and documents by February 12.
"However, neither your comments nor the information/documents have been received by this Secretariat by the stipulated time. The chairperson has directed to inform you that matters of privilege are particular to the person to whom it is addressed and reply/comments have to be submitted by that person to the committee," the letter read.
"These are not to be treated as departmental correspondences and any delay will not be condoned. Any delay or denial to furnish information and documents sought by the committee in itself constitutes a breach of privilege and contempt," it added.
