A bitter war of words broke out over the “fake phansi-ghar (execution room)” issue on Friday, with former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of “insulting” the memory of those slain by the British, even as a BJP MLA and the Speaker hit back, alleging that AAP had “misled” the public and “insulted” the martyrs.
The exchange followed the AAP chief’s appearance before the Assembly’s Committee of Privileges over the phansi-ghar issue.
The committee is investigating the renovation and inauguration of a British-era structure as a phansi-ghar in 2022 during Mr. Kejriwal’s tenure as the Chief Minister.
After the BJP came to power in Delhi in February 2025, the Speaker told the House that the structure was actually a “tiffin room”. He alleged that crores of rupees were spent on publicising the “fake phansi-ghar” and referred the matter to the panel for an inquiry, following which several senior AAP leaders, including Mr. Kejriwal, were summoned.
The Assembly’s Committee of Privileges submitted a report on January 6, recommending that the House take “proper action” against Mr. Kejriwal and others.
