Privileges Committee toprobe Punjab Police role in ‘doctored’ video row

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Wednesday referred to the Committee of Privileges the registration of an FIR by Punjab Police and its subsequent actions in connection with a “doctored” video of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi that was posted on X by Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra.

The Committee of Privileges has been directed to examine the conduct and actions of the Director General of Police, Punjab; the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar; the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Punjab; and any other persons found involved in the matter. It has been instructed to submit its report to the House in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

“After examining the reply submitted by Punjab Police and the complaint received from Kapil Mishra, Delhi Cabinet Minister, the Speaker has concluded that a prima facie case of breach of privilege and contempt of the House exists,” read a statement from the Delhi Secretariat.

According to the statement, despite reminders, Punjab Police failed to furnish essential documents sought by the Assembly, including copies of the complaint, FIR, report of Punjab Police’s social media expert, and report of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Punjab.

‘Unfortunate action’

The Speaker said nothing prevented Punjab Police from verifying the matter with the Delhi Secretariat before registering the FIR. He also termed the absence of such verification “unfortunate”.

AAP and the BJP have been locked in a political war of words over alleged remarks made by Leader of the Opposition Atishi in the Delhi Assembly last month about Guru Tegh Bahadur and an “edited” video of the incident shared by Mr. Mishra.

Chain of events

On January 7, during the Assembly’s Winter Session, the BJP sought cancellation of Ms. Atishi’s membership over her alleged remarks made a day earlier. On January 8, AAP alleged that Mr. Mishra had shared an “edited” and “fake” video on X, calling it an “insult” to the Sikh guru, and demanded the Minister’s suspension along with the BJP legislators who had reposted it.

The Speaker later said the original footage from the Assembly would be sent to an FSL in Delhi for examination. However, the video circulated by Mr. Mishra was not sent by the Assembly for forensic examination.

On January 9, Punjab Police registered an FIR in connection with the video posted by Mr. Mishra. It said a forensic examination of the video showed that the word ‘guru’ was not uttered by Ms. Atishi.

The Speaker issued notices to senior Punjab Police officials seeking written explanations within 48 hours over the FIR. A court in Jalandhar later ordered that the “doctored” video be taken down from social media platforms.

While Punjab Police responded to the Assembly’s notice, the Speaker said the reply lacked the details sought by the House.