Why Did Kejriwal and Sisodia Miss the Delhi Assembly Panel for ‘Faansi Ghar’ Probe?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Absences of key leaders from hearings raises accountability concerns.
- The inquiry into the ‘Faansi Ghar’ is crucial for transparency.
- Verified documents challenge the legitimacy of the gallows.
- Political implications of this probe may affect governance in Delhi.
- Continued silence from involved parties raises suspicions.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) The Chairperson of the Delhi Assembly’s Committee of Privileges, Pradyumn Singh Rajput, announced on Thursday that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has once again failed to attend a hearing regarding the alleged misrepresentation of facts surrounding the ‘Faansi Ghar’ (gallows) located within the legislature’s premises.
Rajput stated, “Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel, and Rakhi Birla did not show up before the Committee of Privileges even after being granted two chances to share their side of the story on record.”
He continued, “In light of their persistent absence in both scheduled meetings, the Committee has resolved to determine the next steps regarding the matter under review.”
The Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, had previously raised concerns about the validity of the ‘Faansi Ghar’ that was inaugurated on August 9, 2022, during the tenure of the Kejriwal administration.
Following Gupta's remarks, the Committee of Privileges was instructed to pursue a further inquiry.
During its ongoing investigation, the Committee had scheduled a hearing on Thursday specifically to discuss the legitimacy of the ‘Faansi Ghar’.
This meeting was convened to facilitate a thorough factual and procedural evaluation necessary for an exhaustive review of the circumstances surrounding the inauguration, according to an official statement.
The Privileges Committee includes Chairperson Rajput, Surya Prakash Khatri, Abhay Kumar Verma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Satish Upadhyay, Neeraj Basoya, Ravi Kant, Ram Singh Netaji, and Surender Kumar.
The Committee reiterated its dedication to fostering transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity, emphasizing that cooperation from all relevant parties is crucial for the successful completion of a fair and comprehensive inquiry.
In August, Speaker Gupta stated, “After numerous days of extensive discussion in this House, supported by verified facts and documentation, it has been conclusively established that crores of rupees were expended on constructing fictitious gallows and spreading misleading advertisements within the Delhi Legislative Assembly complex.”
He remarked that when the so-called gallows was erected in 2022, coinciding with the commemoration of the Quit India Movement on August 9, it stirred feelings of patriotism among him and fellow Opposition members.
Gupta noted that after taking office as Speaker and reviewing verified documents from reputable research institutions and national archives, it became painfully evident that this so-called gallows was an absolute fabrication.
He indicated that the Opposition, which was the ruling party at the time of this misrepresentation, was asked by the House to provide any concrete evidence justifying the construction of such a structure.
“However, even after being given three days, they failed to present any logical or factual justification. Their ongoing silence has further solidified the conclusion that this was a premeditated and deceitful act,” he asserted.
In contrast, verified documents obtained from the National Archives of India, including a 1912 map of the Assembly premises, along with research conducted by various esteemed institutions such as the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), historians from Delhi University and JNU, the MCD Heritage Cell, Delhi Archives, and other independent historians, have collectively confirmed that no gallows ever existed in this building, nor was there any tunnel leading from the Assembly premises to the Red Fort, as falsely claimed, he stated.