NEW DELHI: The committee headed by BJP lawmaker Kirit Somaiya, which is probing the alleged breach of security by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann, might examine the bigger question of whether bags and cars belonging to lawmakers must be screened before being allowed into Parliament.
However, sources said the nine-member committee was divided on the issue, with some questioning whether it should even go into the larger issue of imposing restrictions on MPs in Parliament.
Somaiya told HT that the committee, which was given a two-week extension by Lok Sabha(LS) speaker Sumitra Mahajan to complete its probe, will soon conduct a field visit to Parliament to check the security measures in place and retrace the route taken by Mann. “One of the terms of reference of the committee is also to suggest measures to avoid a repeat (incident), for which we will consult experts,” he added.
There have been instances in the past of a lawmaker using pepper spray in the LS (2014) and members bringing along a bag full of currency notes (2008), but no blanket restrictions were imposed on MPs.
Sources said Somaiya raised the issue of MPs’ baggage being checked at airports “without a fuss”. However, his colleagues on the panel were reportedly divided on the need to impose restrictions on MPs after the incident – which had Mann filming security procedures at Parliament with his phone camera. “The chairman of the committee has the right to raise important questions pertaining to security lapses, but I don’t think the MPs will favour restrictions,” a member said.
{{/usCountry}}Sources said Somaiya raised the issue of MPs’ baggage being checked at airports “without a fuss”. However, his colleagues on the panel were reportedly divided on the need to impose restrictions on MPs after the incident – which had Mann filming security procedures at Parliament with his phone camera. “The chairman of the committee has the right to raise important questions pertaining to security lapses, but I don’t think the MPs will favour restrictions,” a member said.
{{/usCountry}}The speaker also advised Mann to not attend the session, which ends August 12, till the committee completes the probe. AAP reacted sharply, stating that the extension of the probe was a ploy to keep Mann away from Parliament.
Party leader Ashutosh accused the home ministry of sending officials to snoop on Mann while he was in Bengaluru for a naturopathy course. “What explains the extension of an investigation into such an ordinary video?” he asked.
Mann, who has remained defiant in the face of the inquiry, said he should be allowed to attend the house. “They want me to change my reply. They want me to delete the names of the PM and the ISI. I will not do that,” Mann said.
Somaiya said the panel would allow Mann two more days to clear the “contradictions in his reply”.