AAP MP Mann suspended from LS, committee formed to probe video

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said on Monday that a 9-member probe committee will be constituted to submit a report into Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann’s video showing Parliament’s internal security positions. BJP MP Kirit Somaiya will head the committee.

Mahajan also advised Mann to not attend the house until a decision was made. Mann has therefore been suspended from the Lok Sabha. He will remain suspended for the duration of the Monsoon Session or until a decision is reached by the committee.

As soon as the House assembled, she informed it about the action being taken on the issue which had led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings on July 22.

"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," the Speaker said.

Apart from chairperson Somaiya, the panel has two other BJP members -- Meenakshi Lekhi and Satyapal Singh. Others are Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena), B Mahtab (BJD), Ratna De (TMC), Thota Narasimham (TDP), K C Venugopal (Cong) and P Venugopal (AIADMK).

The panel has no member from Shiromani Akali Dal. Mann represents Sangrur in Punjab.

Read: After video row, AAP MP Mann accused of coming drunk to Parliament

"The committee is requested to examine the matter expeditiously and submit its report not later than August 3, 2016," Mahajan said.

Mann has been asked to submit his "statement/explanation" regarding the matter by 10.30 am tomorrow before the panel."

The panel would look into the serious security implications and related aspects "germane to and arising out of the conduct of audio-visual recording around Parliament House by Mann on July 21, 2016 and subsequent uploading of the said audio-visual recording by him on social media".

Besides, it would suggest suitable remedial measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future and recommend appropriate action in the matter, she said.

"The committee is authorised to follow its own procedure. The report of the committee will be presented to the House for its consideration," the Speaker said.

Parliament erupted in a major uproar on Friday after Bhagwant Mann posted a video clip on a social media site showing Parliament’s internal security positions.

Legislators in both Houses of Parliament sought the first-time MP’s dismissal for compromising the security of the entire complex, especially when 13 persons had been killed in a terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001.

The issue led to Lok Sabha proceedings being washed out while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice before being adjourned for the day in the afternoon.

In the Rajya Sabha, voting on the private member's Bill of Congress MP KVP Ramachandra Rao was put off.

Mahajan, who summoned Mann and obtained an “unconditional apology”, had termed it a “serious issue” and assured protesting members that some action would be taken. The AAP MP tendered an unconditional apology to Mahajan.