Differences in Parl panel over punishing Bhagwant Mann

Members of the Parliamentary panel investigating AAP MP Bhagwant Mann’s controversial video of the Parliament House complex on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft report following differences over quantum of punishment, with some opposing any punitive action as he had not been attending the House on the orders of the Speaker.

The committee, headed by BJP’s Kirit Somaiya, met on Tuesday to finalise a draft report after Mann tendered an unconditional apology and withdrew his remarks that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be also summoned for inviting ISI officials to Pathankot airbase after a terror attack there.

While there was unanimity on security aspects recommended by the panel, there were differences on the punishment to be handed down to him. Though he has been found guilty, some suggested that he be suspended for a day, a few others said the suspension should be be for a day. Others said since he has not been attending the House on the directions of the Speaker for a long time, he should not be punished.

The nine-member panel will meet again on Wednesday. “The report will be submitted on Wednesday,” Somaiya told media refusing to elaborate. Mann has been accused of filming “critical” areas of Parliament House building. Mann, AAP MP from Sangrur, had triggered a controversy in July by live-streaming the security arrangements at the Parliament House complex on social media. After facing flak for his act, the AAP MP had defended his move saying he was only showing people how Parliament functioned.

He had later appeared before the committee and demanded Prime Minister Modi’s suspension from the Lok Sabha for “compromising national security” by allowing Pakistan’s spy agency ISI inside the Pathankot airbase after the terror attack. He had also sought that Modi too be summoned by the committee.