The Delhi Assembly Privileges Committee has issued notices to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his former deputy Manish Sisodia and former speaker Ram Niwas Goel over a ‘Phansi Ghar’ erected in the House premises in August 2022. The structure, a mock British-era execution chamber built at a cost of `1 crore, was inaugurated on August 22, 2022. Issuing notices to these four senior AAP leaders, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat has asked them to submit their replies by September 19.
The letter issued by the Assembly Secretariat has said that on 22nd August 2022 a ‘Phansi Ghar’ was inaugurated in the Delhi Assembly premises at Old Secretariat. The dignitaries who inaugurated the ‘Phansi Ghar’ were Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Guest, Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel and Rakhi Birla were present on the occasion. Goel, the then Speaker, had presided over the ceremony.
“The issue regarding the existence of a ‘Phansi Ghar’ in the Delhi Assembly premises was discussed by the House in its sittings held on 5th, 6th and 7th August 2025. On 7th August 2025, the matter was referred to the Committee of Privileges for examination and report and it was directed to seek the comments of the above mentioned dignitaries regarding the authenticity of the existence of the “Phansi Ghar”, the letter said.
“Accordingly, you are being requested to send your written comments on the above issue to this Secretariat, not later than 19the September for perusal of the Committee of Privileges,” the letter further said.
Amid controversy over the previous AAP government’s claim that a section of the Assembly building was once a “Phansi Ghar” (execution chamber), the Delhi Assembly, during the monsoon session, had called it a gross distortion of history, an insult to national martyrs, and a betrayal of public trust.
The Assembly had revealed that nearly `1.04 crore of taxpayers’ money was spent on promoting this false narrative, and called for full recovery of the amount, the registration of an FIR against those responsible, and the institution of a detailed inquiry. The ruling BJP had said that the Kejriwal Government misused public funds on emotionally manipulative and misleading publicity for political gain.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta had also conducted a tour of “Phansi Ghar” for media persons saying that “Phansi Ghar” was actually a tiffin room and there was a misconception that it was used to hang freedom fighters during British Rule.
Chief Minister had later urged the Assembly Speaker and the House to immediately remove the misleading signage referencing the “Phansi Ghar” from the Assembly premises emphasising that this rectification is especially critical ahead of the All India Speakers’ Conference scheduled for 24-25 August, so that dignitaries from across the country are not presented with a falsified version of history and the reputation of the Delhi Assembly is upheld.
She had alleged that former CM Arvind Kejriwal, in a calculated attempt to gain public sympathy, had arbitrarily declared a portion of the Assembly premises as a gallows site without any documentary evidence or historical authenticity.