Bhagwant Mann probe: Parliamentary Committee gets another extension

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Friday gave another extension to the Parliamentary Committee formed to probe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann till end of the first week of next session, news agency ANI reported. The probe committee received an extension of two weeks earlier in August as well. Mann, the AAP MP from Sangrur, had triggered a controversy in July by live-streaming the security

arrangements at the Parliament House complex on social media. He had also videographed the process of draw of lots for selecting members’ questions for listing. After facing flak for his act, the AAP MP defended his move saying he was only showing people how the Parliament functions. “Is it illegal, inappropriate to post a video which shows procedure of how questions are taken up in Parliament during question hour,” Bhagwant Mann said.

He later apologised to the Lok Sabha speaker for his actions. “I explained my stand to Lok Sabha Speaker. She said what I did was not right and I should apologise. So I tendered an apology in writing saying that it was unintentional, I was only trying to make an educational video,” said Mann in a press conference.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had advised Mann not to come to the House until the committee’s term ends. “As earlier observed by me, in view of seriousness of the matter, Bhagwant Mann, MP is further advised not to attend the sittings of the House until a decision is taken in the matter,” Mahajan said in the Lok Sabha. The Speaker had advised Mann on July 25 also not to attend the House till a decision was taken regarding his conduct.