New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) The Delhi Assembly Secretariat received information on Friday from Punjab's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Alok Shekhar and the state's police Chief Gaurav Yadav indicating that their responses regarding the FIR linked to the video of alleged comments by the city's Leader of Opposition Atishi are currently being reviewed by the Punjab government.

Meanwhile, draft versions of their answers, which have been submitted for approval to the Punjab Home Department, were passed on to the Delhi Assembly Secretariat, as confirmed by an official.

These responses from Punjab's officials are expected to be presented to the Committee of Privileges of the Delhi Assembly for evaluation once they are formally sent to the Assembly Secretary by the Punjab Home Department.

Following the FIR registration in Jalandhar, the District Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur has also sent a copy of his response to the Delhi Assembly via the state police chief, awaiting the “approval of the competent authority in the Punjab government.”

The Privileges Committee of the Delhi Assembly had granted a final opportunity to Punjab officials on February 13, instructing the Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the state police chief to provide their responses by Friday.

The Committee had requested specific documents from Punjab's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Alok Shekhar, including copies of the complaint, the FIR, and reports from the Social Media Expert (Technical Cell) of the Punjab Police, along with a report from the Forensic Science Laboratory in Punjab.

The FIR was filed by the Jalandhar Police on January 9 following a complaint alleging the dissemination of a “doctored” version of a video clip concerning Atishi's statement in the Delhi Assembly, which was considered objectionable and disrespectful towards Sikh Gurus.

The Delhi Assembly Secretariat had communicated through letters dated February 5 and February 13, emphasizing that Punjab officials were required to submit their replies and documents within the designated timeframe for the Committee's review, failing which it might be construed as a breach of privilege and contempt.

Previously, when requesting additional time to respond, the Office of the Punjab Home Affairs Department's Additional Chief Secretary indicated on February 12 that no direct communication had been received from the Delhi Assembly Secretariat prior to the February 5 correspondence.

Punjab's letter noted that feedback from the Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur, and the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Punjab Ashwani Kalia had been forwarded to the appropriate offices in Delhi.

It was also highlighted that a detailed, formal consolidated response was being prepared and had been submitted for the competent authority's approval.

This matter pertains to allegations of breach of privilege and contempt resulting from statements made during Assembly sessions and the subsequent actions taken by Punjab Police.

The Committee of Privileges is currently reviewing the situation, including how the authorities have conducted themselves and the management of communications and information requested by the Delhi Assembly Secretariat.