Assembly Secretariat seeks FIR and FSL records on Atishi video
The Delhi Assembly Secretariat on Friday wrote to the Punjab police chief seeking copies of documents, including the FIR and forensics report, related to a purported video clip of Leader of Opposition Atishi in which she is seen making derogatory remarks against Sikh gurus.
This comes a day after, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in his reply to the Delhi Assembly secretary regarding the FIR registered in connection with the “doctored” video clip, had said that police acted in accordance with the law and the material available on record.
The assembly secretariat also issued a reminder to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Punjab, asking it to submit pending forensic records related to the FIR registered in Jalandhar by January 28.
The letter, dated January 23 and issued by the secretary of the Delhi assembly, says that the previous reply from the Punjab Police chief, along with comments from the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police, has been placed before Speaker Vijender Gupta. The assembly noted that specific information and documents requested in an earlier notice on January 10 are still required for further directions.
The Punjab Police have now been directed to provide copies of the original complaint, the FIR, reports from social media experts and the technical cell, and the findings of the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) by January 28. Earlier directed to be submitted by January 22, through a communication issued on January 16 by the assembly secretary, the documents sought to include a copy of the complaint, a copy of the FIR, a copy of the report of the social media expert or technical cell or Punjab Police, and a copy of the report of the Punjab forensic science lab.
Secretariat noted that despite the earlier deadline, the required information and complete records have not yet been received. In view of this, the direction has been reiterated through the reminder to ensure that all relevant material is placed on record and examined in a timely manner as part of the ongoing proceedings.
The Assembly Secretariat stated that the forensic records are essential for establishing facts clearly and maintaining institutional transparency. The matter continues to be under active consideration, and the concerned authorities have been requested to extend full cooperation.
In its earlier submission, the Punjab DGP’s office and the Jalandhar Police justified the registration of the FIR, asserting that forensic analysis confirmed the video was manipulated.
They maintained that the term “Guru” was never uttered by Atishi and was instead inserted into the footage to inflame religious sentiments in Punjab.
Punjab Police argued that legislative privilege was not breached because the edited clips were circulated outside the House on social media platforms and were not published under the authority of the Delhi assembly.
Earlier, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta had said a forensic science laboratory report on the veracity of the video related to Leader of Opposition Atishi’s alleged remarks disrespecting Sikh gurus stated that the clip was original and without any tampering.
A political row erupted after the BJP accused Atishi of using “insensitive words” against Guru Tegh Bahadur after the end of a discussion in the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly on January 6 to mark 350 years of the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala.
The row began following an FIR registered by the Jalandhar commissionerate police on January 7, based on a complaint by AAP leader Iqbal Singh Bagga. Bagga alleged that the edited video was maliciously circulated by political leaders, including Delhi BJP minister Kapil Mishra and leaders from the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The case was filed under Sections 196(1) (promoting enmity) and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alongside provisions of the IT Act.
