Mann’s statements contradictory, says parliamentary panel

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

AAP’s Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann on Thursday afternoon appeared before the parliamentary panel regarding his act of filming details of Parliament complex and uploading the video on social media.

Earlier in the day, he went to the office of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and submitted a written reply.

Sources said Mann in his written submission argued that his act in no way put the Parliament at security risk. But if the Speaker and the panel felt he did something wrong, he was ready to tender an “unconditional apology”, he said.

The panel has again summoned Mann on Monday.

Panel chief Kirit Somaiya said Mann’s deposition had many contradictions, so they had called him again.

The panel members expressed their displeasure over Mann’s attempt to link his act with Prime Minister and the ISI.

Somaiya said though Mann offered an unconditional apology, he had also questioned the utility of forming the panel.

Mann, later, refused to give the details.