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He told that former Deputy Chairman Rakhi Birla also did not attend the meeting.
Committee chairman Pradyuman Singh Rajput said, the committee has now given him another chance to put his side on record and has fixed November 20 as the next date for his appearance.
The Aam Aadmi Party termed the move as ‘legally untenable’ and ‘politically motivated’, saying the Privileges Committee of the eighth Assembly cannot act on matters of the previous term, as confirmed by the Supreme Court.
The AAP statement said, “…yet the BJP is adamant on such gimmicks while Delhi grapples with dangerous pollution, collapsing public services and serious security failures.”
During the meeting, the committee continued to examine the matter related to the authenticity of the ‘hanging house’ which was inaugurated on August 9, 2022 in the Delhi Legislative Assembly complex.
They reviewed documents, background records and other material related to the case, an official statement said. The assessment of the subject continues, with the Committee considering both procedural aspects and factual clarifications required by the investigation.
The committee stressed that the upcoming meeting will be important to take the investigation forward.
“The Committee expects those persons who did not appear today to ensure their presence on the next date so that their statements and explanations can be duly recorded. The cooperation of all concerned is essential for timely and effective conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.
Kejriwal and Sisodia have already approached the Delhi High Court in this matter. Challenging the summons, they are arguing that the notice shows that the proceedings are not based on any complaint or report or refer to a breach of privilege or contempt motion.
However, the court on Tuesday said that prima facie his plea was ‘not maintainable’. The ‘Phansi Ghar’ was inaugurated inside the Assembly complex in the presence of Kejriwal and Sisodia when they were serving as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi respectively. While Kejriwal was the chief guest, the then Deputy Speaker, Rakhi Birla, was the guest of honour, and Goyal presided over the function.
During the monsoon session in August, Speaker Vijender Gupta told the House that the so-called British-era ‘hanging house’, which was inaugurated with much fanfare by Kejriwal in the Assembly complex in 2022 after renovation, was originally a ‘tiffin room’.
Displaying a 1912 map of the Assembly complex, Gupta had said no document or evidence showed that the place was used for executions. He had referred the matter to the committee for investigation and report.
In a statement, AAP said the ‘hanging house’ controversy initiated by the ‘Privilege Committee’ of Delhi’s eighth Legislative Assembly is “completely illegal”.
AAP stressed that once the Seventh Assembly is dissolved, its privileges and proceedings cannot be carried forward by the next Assembly.
AAP said, “While Delhi is facing serious challenges, the BJP is misusing the legislative machinery for political vendetta instead of giving priority to governance. Citizens are being forced to protest just for clean air.” AAP said that the 8th Assembly of Delhi and its Privileges Committee have more important responsibilities towards the people.