Delhi Assembly Escalates Demand for Forensic Report in Atishi Video FIR Case
In a significant development in the ongoing Atishi video case, the Delhi Assembly Speaker has intensified demands for crucial documentation from Punjab Police authorities. This escalation follows a series of exchanges between legislative bodies and law enforcement agencies regarding the controversial FIR registered by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police.
Speaker's Directive for Comprehensive Documentation
The Delhi Assembly Speaker, Vijender Gupta, has formally directed the Punjab Director General of Police to submit multiple key documents by January 28. This directive specifically requests:
- A complete copy of the original complaint and all accompanying enclosures that formed the basis for FIR registration
- The official copy of the FIR filed in this particular case
- The detailed report prepared by social media experts from Punjab Police's technical cell
- The comprehensive forensic analysis report from Punjab's Forensic Science Laboratory
This formal request comes after the Speaker reviewed responses from senior Punjab Police officers that were submitted to the Delhi Assembly secretary. The Speaker noted that while these replies addressed some aspects of the case, they failed to provide the additional information and documents originally requested in the January 10 notice.
Punjab Police's Defense of FIR Registration
In their detailed responses, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav and Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur presented a robust defense of their decision to register the FIR. Their arguments centered on several key points:
- Content Analysis: The officers maintained that former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi did not use the word 'Guru' in her original speech, suggesting potential manipulation of the video content
- Jurisdictional Authority: They argued that legislative privilege provisions do not apply to this particular case, creating a jurisdictional dispute between state authorities
- Investigation Oversight: The Punjab Police officials contended that no legislature, especially from another state, possesses oversight authority over their investigative processes
- Nature of Alleged Offense: They clarified that the FIR specifically addresses acts committed by unknown individuals outside the Delhi Assembly premises, focusing on alleged video clipping, cropping, and digital tampering
Escalating Legislative-Law Enforcement Tensions
The case has evolved into a complex inter-state jurisdictional dispute with significant implications for legislative oversight of police investigations. Delhi Speaker Vijender Gupta has characterized the FIR registration as a potential breach of legislative privilege, prompting his direct involvement in seeking comprehensive documentation.
This development represents a critical juncture in the ongoing tension between Delhi's legislative authorities and Punjab's law enforcement agencies. The demand for forensic reports and technical documentation indicates a move toward more substantive examination of the evidence that prompted the FIR registration.
The January 28 deadline for document submission sets a clear timeline for resolution, while the specific request for forensic and technical reports suggests the Delhi Assembly is preparing for detailed scrutiny of the evidence basis for the controversial FIR.
