Delhi Assembly Speaker Orders Inquiry into Phansi Ghar Controversy Involving Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has directed an inquiry by the Privileges Committee regarding the Phansi Ghar issue, summoning former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others. Gupta asserts that the structure was misrepresented and will be investigated thoroughly.

The Delhi Assembly Speaker, Vijender Gupta, announced that the claim of a Phansi Ghar on the assembly premises is unfounded. He stated that the matter will be referred to the Privileges Committee for a thorough investigation. This committee will summon former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others involved. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dismissed these claims as frivolous and unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny.

Gupta revealed that a plaque bearing the names of Kejriwal and others would be removed. He clarified that the structure, inaugurated in 2022 by Kejriwal as an execution room, was actually a tiffin room according to records. Displaying a 1912 map of the assembly complex, he noted there was no evidence of executions taking place there.

Investigation into Historical Claims

The Privileges Committee will summon several individuals, including former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, former speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and others who were present at the inauguration of the alleged execution room on August 9, 2022. Gupta emphasized that tampering with heritage buildings and misrepresenting historical structures are serious offenses against truth.

He condemned these actions as grave acts of distortion and deceit. The AAP was asked to provide evidence justifying the construction of such a structure but failed to do so within three days. Their silence has led to the conclusion that this was a deliberate act of fraud.

Restoration Plans for Heritage Structure

The Delhi Legislative Assembly building will be restored to its original form. The rooms initially designated as tiffin rooms will prominently display the 1912 architectural map to prevent future distortions of historical facts. The foundation stone plaque installed in August 2022 will be removed immediately.

AAP responded by criticising the Speaker's decision to summon a former Speaker before the Privileges Committee. They argued that such actions weaken institutions and are unlikely to hold up in court. Gupta, who was part of the opposition during AAP's rule, recalled how they revered the supposed execution room as a site of martyrdom.

Historical Evidence and Public Sentiment

Gupta cited documents from the National Archives of India, including a 1912 map, which showed no gallows existed in the building. Research by institutions like ICHR and IGNCA confirmed this finding. He expressed feeling deceived by the false narrative and noted that many citizens felt similarly betrayed.

He also clarified there was no tunnel connecting the Assembly premises to the Red Fort. Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned calling a place where non-vegetarian food was consumed as Phansi Ghar, where freedom fighters supposedly attained martyrdom.

AAP had previously accused BJP of trying to shield British actions by denying an execution room's existence. The Delhi Assembly building, constructed in 1912 for the Imperial Legislative Council, became the seat of the Delhi Legislative Assembly in 1993 after various administrative uses post-independence.

With inputs from PTI