Assembly Secretariat writes to former leaders over Privileges Committee report on Phansi Ghar issue

The Delhi Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday wrote to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, ex-Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and former deputy speaker Rakhi Birla regarding the findings of the Privileges Committee in connection with the “Phansi Ghar” issue.

According to the Secretariat, the letters convey the findings of the Privileges Committee after a detailed examination of the matter. The committee concluded that the concerned former office-bearers deliberately failed to appear before it despite repeated notices, adequate opportunity, and the absence of any stay or direction from a court. The committee has recommended that appropriate action be taken by the House in view of its findings.

The letters ask the four leaders to take note of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the First Report of the Privileges Committee.

The report holds that their conduct amounted to contempt of the House and the Committee, as they did not attend the sittings despite being formally summoned.

The issue relates to the inquiry conducted by the Privileges Committee into the alleged existence of a “Phansi Ghar” within the Delhi Assembly premises. The Committee had summoned the former chief minister, the former speaker, the former deputy chief minister, and the former deputy speaker to depose before it and provide information or documents related to the allegation.

The Secretariat said the Privileges Committee examined the entire sequence of events, including the notices issued, correspondence exchanged, the legal position, and established parliamentary procedures, before arriving at its conclusion. The Committee noted that the individuals concerned did not appear before it on the scheduled dates of November 13, 2025, and November 20, 2025, despite being given sufficient opportunity.

It was recalled that the Delhi Legislative Assembly had earlier adopted the First Report of the Privileges Committee after a motion agreeing with the report was presented and passed in the House on January 6, 2026. During the same proceedings, the House also approved a separate motion directing Arvind Kejriwal, Ram Niwas Goel, Manish Sisodia, and Rakhi Birla to appear in person before the Privileges Committee as and when summoned.

The House resolution had specifically instructed the four leaders to explain their absence from the Committee’s sittings and to place on record any information or documents in their possession regarding the alleged “Phansi Ghar” in the Assembly precincts.