Delhi's Kejriwal and Sisodia Skip Second Privileges Committee Meeting on 'Phansi Ghar' Probe

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were absent from the Delhi Assembly's Privileges Committee meeting on Thursday, marking their second consecutive non-appearance in the controversial "Phansi Ghar" inauguration investigation.

The absence of these AAP leaders intensifies the political confrontation regarding the probe into a structure that was inaugurated three years ago.

Committee chairperson Pradyumn Singh Rajput expressed disappointment over their absence, noting that Kejriwal, Sisodia, former Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and MLA Rakhi Birla had been given two opportunities to present their perspectives. "They once again did not appear before the Committee of Privileges despite being given 2 opportunities to present their version on record," Rajput stated, indicating that the committee would now determine its next course of action.

In a written response to the Committee Secretary, Kejriwal fundamentally challenged the legitimacy of the inquiry, describing it as "legally unsustainable and devoid of Constitutional sanction." He argued that the current 8th Legislative Assembly lacks jurisdiction to exercise privilege powers over actions taken during the dissolved 7th Assembly, citing established parliamentary principles and judicial precedents.

"Since no privilege motion regarding the 'Faansi Ghar' was pending at the time of dissolution, the Committee is constitutionally barred from resurrecting past administrative acts," Kejriwal wrote. He further emphasized that legislative privilege exists solely to protect House functions from obstruction, not to examine ceremonial inaugurations, and pointed out there is "no allegation so far" of contempt or obstruction attributed to him.

Kejriwal also criticized the committee's attempt to verify the "authenticity" of the structure as overreaching its authority. "The Committee cannot determine the authenticity of a structure. Attempting to convert a privilege inquiry into verification of historical facts is a colourable exercise of power," his response stated.

He maintained that his attendance at the 2022 inauguration was merely as a guest invited by the then Speaker, and called for the withdrawal of the summons and termination of the proceedings.

The controversy first came to the Privileges Committee's attention after current Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta questioned the authenticity of the 'Phansi Ghar'. Though Thursday's meeting was intended to advance the committee's investigation, the continued absence of key AAP figures has transformed the process into a significant political standoff.