Vidhan Sabha Secretariat asks Karnal DC to probe commercial use of Speaker’s photo and take action

The Haryana Vidhan Sabha Secretariat has taken serious note of the use of Speaker Harvindra Kalyan’s photograph in commercial advertisements, published without his consent.

“The Secretariat has written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Karnal district to ensure immediate inquiry and necessary action in this regard. In the letter, the Deputy Commissioner has been asked to investigate this unwarranted and undesirable matter and to take appropriate action against those responsible. The district administration has been asked to submit a report on the action taken in this regard,” a Vidhan Sabha Secretariat spokesperson said.

“A property dealing firm from Gharaunda in Karnal district had got an advertisement published in newspapers on 31st December 2025 and 1st January 2026 on the occasion of the New Year, which was released for commercial purposes. In this advertisement, the photograph of Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvindra Kalyan was used without his permission. In the letter written by the Secretariat to the Karnal Deputy Commissioner, it has been stated that the Vidhan Sabha Speaker occupies a constitutional post and his photograph cannot be used in this manner. Such publications can mislead and influence the general public as well as administrative officers,” the spokesperson added.