New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Delhi Assembly’s Committee of Privileges has held that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, former Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and former Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla deliberately avoided appearing before the committee in the matter related to the alleged existence of a ‘Faansi Ghar’ in the Delhi Assembly premises.
In its first report, presented by Committee Chairperson Pardymn Singh Rajput during winter session, the panel said there is no authentic historical evidence to prove that a ‘Faansi Ghar’ ever existed in the Delhi Assembly building. According to records received from the National Archives, the space projected as a ‘Faansi Ghar’ was actually a Tiffin Room.
The issue relates to an event held on August 9, 2022, when the ‘Faansi Ghar after restoration’ was unveiled at the Delhi Assembly. The ceremony was attended by then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, then Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and then Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla, and was widely covered by the media.
After assuming office in February 2025, Speaker Vijender Gupta initiated steps to preserve the heritage of the Assembly building. During this exercise, questions were raised about the authenticity of the ‘Faansi Ghar’. The matter was discussed in the House in August 2025 and was later referred to the Committee of Privileges for detailed examination.
The committee issued notices and summons to all four leaders, seeking their written replies and personal appearance. However, none of them appeared before the committee on November 13 and November 20, 2025. Instead, they sought deferral of proceedings citing a writ petition pending before the Delhi High Court.
The committee noted that the High Court had not passed any interim order staying the proceedings. It observed that the four leaders were fully aware of this fact but still chose not to appear, thereby obstructing the functioning of the committee.
Citing constitutional provisions, Assembly rules and Supreme Court judgments, the committee said refusal to comply with summons of a House committee amounts to contempt of the House.
In its recommendations, the committee said the Assembly may take appropriate action against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel and Rakhi Birla for their wilful absence from the committee sittings without valid reason.
It also said the examination of witnesses on the main issue of the ‘Faansi Ghar’ will continue, and a detailed report will be submitted in the next session.
The Speaker said that the report will be discussed in the House on Wednesday.
