Punjab withholding info on FIR against ‘doctored’ video; bid to conceal facts: Delhi Assembly Speaker

The “continued withholding” by Punjab Police of files related to the FIR it registered in connection with Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra posting a “doctored” video on social media of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi making alleged derogatory remarks against Guru Tegh Bahadur “raises several questions”, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta told reporters on Friday.

The Privileges Committee of the Assembly is looking into the alleged remarks made during a discussion in the House on January 6 while observing the 350th anniversary of the Sikh guru’s martyrdom. Ms. Atishi has denied the allegations.

According to Punjab Police, a forensic test of the video shared on social media revealed that it was tampered with. However, Mr. Gupta said a forensic examination ordered by him of the original footage from the Assembly showed that the video was genuine.

The Delhi Assembly had sought from Punjab Police copies of the complaint based on which the FIR was registered in Jalandhar on January 9, the FIR, and its forensic report.

“To date, neither has a copy of the FIR been provided nor has the complaint been shared. No official investigation report has been made public. This situation gives rise to suspicion and casts a serious shadow on transparency,” Mr. Gupta said.

The Speaker said the “silence and repeated delays witnessed in this matter indicate a deliberate attempt to conceal facts”.

“The links of this case appear to extend directly to the Chief Minister of Punjab, which further adds to the gravity of the issue. In a democracy, accountability is paramount and no government has the right to evade it,” an official statement from the Delhi Secretariat read.

“Bringing the truth to light and holding the guilty accountable is our responsibility. The Assembly will raise this issue with full determination and take necessary steps to ensure justice,” the statement read.

Mr. Gupta said the Assembly will not treat this matter lightly as it is not merely an administrative or political issue, but “directly connected to the honour, dignity, and faith” associated with Sikh gurus.

“Any negligence or insensitivity in such a sensitive matter is completely unacceptable,” he added.

He alleged that after the “insult to the gurus, the manner in which false narratives were spread and unnecessary commotion was created will not be tolerated” by the Assembly.

‘Right action’

There was no official reaction from AAP to the comments. However, a party leader said the police of another State are “following due procedure of law and have rightly taken action against those who tried to disrupt peace and public order by spreading false and communal rumours”.