In a fresh development in the row, 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.
In an official communique sent by the secretariat to the four, it said that the Privileges Committee has recommended that appropriate action be taken by the House. The secretariat said that the committee had examined records, correspondence and procedural provisions, before issuing notices repeatedly and giving them adequate opportunity to appear before the House.An official aware of the proceedings said, “The committee’s conclusions were reached after noting that there was no stay or direction from any court restraining the proceedings and the notices have been issued to the individuals concerned for appearance before the panel.”
The issue refers to a “Phansi Ghar” (gallows chamber) publicly showcased by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government as a historical execution chamber on the assembly premises in 2022. It became a political flashpoint after Speaker Vijender Singh, earlier this year, showed maps and shared other details, claiming that it was a lift chamber used for transporting tiffins and not an execution room.The report recorded that their absence from committee sittings on November 13 and November 20, 2025, remained unexplained despite repeated communication.
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