‘Phansi Ghar’ Controversy: Priviledge Committee Juxtaposed.

New Delhi; March 2026: The Committee of Privileges on Friday stressed that the next course of action in the ‘Phansi Ghar’ row will be based upon the recorded versions of former CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Speaker of Delhi Assembly Ram Niwas Goel and former Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla, who were

summoned before the Committee, according to a release.

Kejriwal, Goel and Birla appeared before the Committee of Privileges and placed their version on record yesterday (06th March 2026) regarding the matter concerning the authenticity of ‘Phansi Ghar’

inaugurated on August 9, 2022, within the Delhi Legislative Assembly Premises. Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, however, once again failed to appear before the Committee despite having agreed earlier to appear yesterday, the release stated. The said individuals appeared before the Committee today.

After taking the oath of secrecy, they placed their versions on record and presented their statements before the Committee in connection with the matter under examination. The Chairperson of the Committee of Privileges, Pradyuman Singh Rajput, stated that while the summoned individuals finally appeared today, they had previously made repeated attempts to evade the Committee’s proceedings, the release stated. Rajput observed how a decision to establish a ‘Phansi Ghar’ could have been taken without any foundational facts or historical basis at the time. He remarked that “It is deeply concerning that those who held such high constitutional offices could not present a single factual document or piece of evidence before the Committee today to support their claims”.

The Chairperson concluded by stating, “By making unsubstantiated claims about a ‘Phansi Ghar’ without any historical proof, they have not only misled the public but have also insulted the memory of our martyrs. The Committee will now collectively deliberate on the next course of action based on today’s recorded versions”. According to the release, the Privileges Committee comprises Chairperson Pradyumn Singh Rajput, Surya Prakash Khatri, Abhay Kumar Verma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Satish Upadhyay, Neeraj Basoya, Ravi Kant, Ram Singh Netaji, and Surender Kumar.

The Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, stated that a false narrative is being spread by Arvind Kejriwal and his associates. The Speaker highlighted that misleading information

concerning the Delhi Legislative Assembly, specifically regarding the existence of ‘Phansi Ghar’ and the reference related to the freedom fighters, has been used to misguide the public on issues of governance and education. The present speaker Gupta noted that the matter was formally raised and referred for a thorough examination to the Committee of Privileges. He said that despite being summoned by the Committee, the concerned individuals failed to appear.

“One matter has clearly emerged on which the committee will give its report: that they have committed contempt of the House and breached privilege by repeatedly not appearing before the committee”, The Speaker characterised the remarks made against the committee and the Constitution as “condemnable and completely unacceptable”, he said. The Speaker observed that the matter calls for a clear and considered response from the concerned authorities. He noted that if the historical authenticity of the structure referred to as the ‘Phansi Ghar’ remains unsubstantiated, it would be appropriate to address the issue with transparency and factual clarity.

Yesterday, before appearing before the Priviledge Committee, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal had slammed the Bhartiya Janata Party(BJP) for calling the ‘gallows’ a ‘tiffin room’, saying that there is no bigger insult to the freedom fighters than this. Kejriwal recalled the inauguration of ‘Phansi Ghar’ when he was acting as Delhi’s Chief Minister, stating that it was opened for the general public to draw inspiration from.

“Delhi Assembly complex is a historic building. This building was built in 1912, during the British era, when the capital was transferred from Kolkata to Delhi. In 2022, through the efforts of the then Speaker, Ram Niwas Goyal, it was discovered that there was a gallows in one corner of this building. Freedom fighters were hanged there. The then Speaker, as Chief Minister, called me and said that we

should open it for tourists so that people could draw inspiration from it. I opened it and inaugurated it”, he said. He further criticised the Centre stating that it has been trying to prove it was merely a tiffin room instead of a gallows. “Now, since their government came to power, they have been trying to prove that it was not a gallows, but a tiffin room. I believe there could be no greater insult to freedom fighters than this”, he added.

On his summon at the Delhi Assembly, he said that he was asked to prove that it was a gallows, upon which the former Chief Minister demanded evidence supporting that it was indeed a tiffin room. “I was summoned to the Assembly today to be asked to prove that it was a gallows. I replied that the then Speaker had done so after conducting a thorough investigation. But I asked them to tell me what evidence they have that it was a tiffin room. They have no proof”, he said.

The AAP leader lambasted the BJP, highlighting the pollution, road infrastructure, garbage disposal problem, and healthcare issues, further stating that instead of the discussion on the ‘Phansi Ghar’, a discussion on fixing the integral issues in the capital city would yield greater benefits.

“Ever since the BJP government came to power, Delhi has been in a terrible state. The people of Delhi are crying. They’re remembering the Aam Aadmi Party government again. There’s garbage everywhere in Delhi. Pollution is terrible. Roads are broken. Mohalla clinics are being closed. Medicines are unavailable in hospitals. I would have been happy if one of their committees had asked me, “Kejriwal ji, tell me how to fix the sewers, tell me how to fix the roads”, I would have shared my experience. I don’t care whose government is in power. I just want Delhi to improve. But they don’t want to run

Delhi”,  he stated.

On 07th August 2025, after the discussion in the house, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has referred the controversial ‘Phansi Ghar’ issue to the Assembly’s Privileges Committee. Speaker Gupta stated that, “Based on the sense of the House, a decision has been taken to restore this historical Assembly Building to its original form”, He condemned the previous government’s actions, calling them a “grave insult to history” and “a major fraud”.

“The fake ‘Phansi Ghar’ and tunnel, along with the unauthorised alterations to a heritage building, are a betrayal of public sentiment and an affront to the dignity of the House. History will never forgive such misdeeds”, Gupta said. The Speaker added, “In an event held on August 9, 2022, to mark the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, a plaque bearing the names of Kejriwal and Sisodia was installed in the name of ‘Phansi Ghar’. The House resolves that the inscription plaque will be removed”.

“The Assembly’s dignity was compromised, and public emotion was manipulated. This is a serious matter of privilege and cannot be ignored”, he added. Delhi Minister and BJP leader Parvesh Verma while visiting the British-era “Phansi-Ghar” and accused former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of distorting a significant part of history. While speaking to media persons, Verma said, “When this building was being constructed, this place was an elevator. Arvind Kejriwal has completely distorted such a significant history. Today, during the assembly session, all the facts were presented. “The minister further said that the photos, maps, and documents they have received prove that there were no gallows in the “Phansi-Ghar”.

Suvro Sanyal – Team Maverick.