Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Kejriwal and AAP Leaders Summoned Over Delhi Assembly 'Phansi Ghar' Controversy
Some important leaders from a political party in Delhi, including the former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, have been asked to appear before a special committee of the Assembly.
This is because of a place they opened a couple of years ago.
The leaders say it was a special memorial to brave people from the past, showing what life was like when India was ruled by others.
But the Speaker and other politicians from a different party say it was just an old room for carrying food and that the previous government spent a lot of money to make it look like a scary place with fake bars and ropes.
They think this is a big mistake and a waste of public money.
The leaders who were asked to appear say the committee shouldn't be looking into this because it was from a time when a different Assembly was in charge.
They also feel the other party is just trying to cause trouble because they are not doing a good job running things.
The committee plans to meet soon to discuss the opening of this place.
The Delhi Assembly's Committee of Privileges has summoned former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over the 'Phansi Ghar' controversy.
The controversy involves a structure inaugurated by the AAP government in 2022, which AAP claims is a memorial to freedom fighters, while the BJP calls it a fabricated site and misuse of funds.
The BJP government claims the structure was a British-era service staircase, not a gallows chamber, and accuses the AAP of distorting history.
AAP leaders argue that the summonses are legally unsustainable and that the committee is being used as a political tool by the BJP.
The Committee of Privileges is scheduled to meet on November 13th to examine the authenticity of the structure and the circumstances of its inauguration.
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel, Rakhi Birla (summoned); Committee of Privileges of the Delhi Assembly (issuing body); BJP MLA Pradyumn Singh Rajput (Committee Head); Speaker Vijender Gupta (commenting on purpose)
- What
- The political controversy over a structure inaugurated by the AAP government as a 'Phansi Ghar' (gallows chamber) has led to the summoning of senior AAP leaders by the Assembly's Privileges Committee. The AAP defends it as a historical memorial, while the BJP calls it a fabricated site and misuse of funds.
- When
- The controversy dates back to 2016, with a 'hanging house' discovered in 2021 and the structure inaugurated in 2022. The Committee of Privileges is set to meet on November 13th.
- Where
- Delhi Assembly premises
- Why
- The AAP government inaugurated a renovated structure as a 'Phansi Ghar' memorial. The BJP government disputes this, claiming it was a service staircase and an act of historical distortion and misuse of public funds, leading to the summoning of AAP leaders by the Privileges Committee.
AAP's Stance
BJP/Speaker's Stance
Nature and Purpose of the Structure
AAP's Stance
The structure was renovated and inaugurated as a memorial to freedom fighters, referred to as 'Phansi Ghar' (gallows room). AAP leaders argue historians have differing views and that historical maps indicate its potential as a hanging chamber.
BJP/Speaker's Stance
The structure was merely a British-era service staircase used for delivering food, not a gallows chamber. The BJP accuses the AAP government of distorting history, insulting martyrs, and misusing public funds by renovating it to look like a prison with symbolic nooses and bars.
Legality and Authority of the Summons
AAP's Stance
The summonses are legally unsustainable as a successor Assembly cannot act on matters from a previous, dissolved term. The AAP accuses the BJP of using the Privileges Committee as a political weapon to distract from its failures.
BJP/Speaker's Stance
The Committee of Privileges, headed by a BJP MLA, is examining the authenticity of the structure and the inauguration, implying a need to investigate the alleged misuse of funds and distortion of history.
Proposed Investigation
AAP's Stance
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha urged the government to involve the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for a scientific examination of the site.
BJP/Speaker's Stance
The current government has announced an inquiry and directed officials to file an FIR over alleged misuse of funds.
- Summoned Individuals
- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Ram Niwas Goel, Rakhi Birla
- Issuing Body
- Committee of Privileges of the Delhi Assembly
- Committee Head
- BJP MLA Pradyumn Singh Rajput
- Meeting Date
- November 13th
- Inauguration Date
- 2022
- Controversy Origin
- Discovery of a tunnel beneath the Assembly building in 2016, with a 'hanging house' discovered in 2021.
- Alleged Renovation Cost
- ₹1 crore
Sources
Privilege Committee Issues Notices To Kejriwal, Sisodia, And Two Other AAP Leaders
‘Phansi Ghar’ row: BJP-led Delhi govt weaponising Privileges Committee, says AAP
Privileges panel calls Arvind Kejriwal over ‘phansi ghar’ row; he says notice vague, not maintainable
