Did Kejriwal Dodge the Delhi Assembly's Privileges Panel on the 'Faansi Ghar' Inquiry?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kejriwal and Sisodia missed crucial inquiry meeting.
- Committee's examination focuses on 'Faansi Ghar' legitimacy.
- Next appearance set for November 20.
- Historical records are central to the inquiry.
- Full cooperation is needed for effective results.
New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia did not show up before the Assembly’s Committee of Privileges on Thursday, which is investigating the legitimacy of the ‘Faansi Ghar’ (execution room) located within the legislature's premises.
The Committee Chairperson Parduymn Singh Rajput stated, “Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel, and Rakhi Birla failed to attend the Committee of Privileges meeting on Thursday.”
The Committee has now provided them with another chance to present their perspective and has scheduled November 20 for their next appearance, Rajput mentioned in a statement.
During the discussions on Thursday, the Committee continued its thorough review of the authenticity of the 'Faansi Ghar', which was inaugurated on August 9, 2022, while Kejriwal served as Chief Minister.
A controversy surrounding the 'Faansi Ghar' emerged when Speaker Vijender Gupta previously asserted that the room was actually a 'tiffin room' equipped with a shaft for a goods lift.
He referenced official maps from 1912 and documents from the National Archives as evidence to substantiate that the area is classified as a 'tiffin room' and a lift shaft.
He insinuated that the previous AAP government incorrectly designated the room as ‘Faansi Ghar’, as historical records do not substantiate the presence of gallows within the Assembly.
On Thursday, the Privileges Committee reviewed various documents, historical records, and additional materials related to the situation, as part of its ongoing assessment of the circumstances surrounding the inauguration of ‘Faansi Ghar’, according to the statement.
The investigation remains under thorough evaluation, with the Committee examining both procedural elements and factual clarifications essential for the inquiry, it stated.
The Chairperson highlighted that Thursday’s meeting included participation from Abhay Kumar Verma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Neeraj Basoya, Surya Prakash Khatri, and Satish Upadhyay, which enabled the Committee to carry on with its scheduled discussions.
The Committee emphasized that the session on November 20 will be pivotal for moving forward with the inquiry.
It expects those who missed the Thursday sitting to attend the next meeting so that their statements and clarifications can be officially recorded. Cooperation from all parties involved is crucial for a timely and effective conclusion to the investigation, as stated.
The Committee reiterated its commitment to conducting a fair, systematic, and thorough examination of the issue at hand.
“By ensuring a detailed review of records and obtaining the involvement of all pertinent individuals, the Committee strives to maintain the standards of transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity that are expected in legislative processes,” it added.