Mann gets 3 days to respond to panel probing videography

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25

A committee set up to probe the videography controversy of Bhagwant Mann on Monday gave the AAP MP time till July 28 to respond to the charge that his action had compromised security of the Parliament House complex even as it decided to seek the views of experts on the issue.

Earlier, he was asked to submit his explanation to the committee by tomorrow morning.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan set up a nine-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of having filmed Parliament’s security procedures against Mann.

Parliamentarian Krit Somaiya will head the committee.

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"I have decided to constitute a nine-member inquiry committee to probe this issue: The committee has been assigned to look into the conduct of Mann given the grave security implications relating to Parliament and suggest other remedial measures,” Mahajan said at the start of Monday’s Parliament session. 

"The act of the member of audio-visual recording of the Parliament and posting it on the social media puts the security of Parliament in peril," the Speaker said.

“The inquiry committee shall inquire into the serious security implications and related aspects.... (and) suggest suitable remedial measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future and recommend appropriate action in the matter."

Mann has been asked to not attend sessions until August 3, when the report is due. 

In a nearly 12-minute video that he shared live on Facebook, Mann filmed his vehicle crossing security barricades and him entering Parliament on Thursday to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session. Parliament was uproarious over the act as several MPs demanded stringent action. 

Parliament was attacked on December 13, 2001, killing 13 people.

Mann later apologised for the video and removed it from Facebook.

In its first meeting today, the panel headed by BJP's Kirit Somaiya decided to seek the views of Commissioner of Police or his representative and Joint Secretary Security of the complex.

The committee would ask them to explain the security aspects of the complex and areas surrounding the building.

The committee, which has decided to meet every day, will also hear others "associated" with the incident. These could include other Members of Parliament and security staff who could have seen Mann videographing the complex.

Acting tough, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today said Mann's videography of the complex had put its security "in peril" and asked him not to attend the House till a decision is taken on the matter.

AAP's arch rival in Punjab, the SAD, has no member on the panel investigating the issue. — With inputs from agencies