There was never a phansi-ghar in Delhi Assembly, it was a tiffin room: Speaker cites House map, targets AAP

Gupta also said that the AAP government’s claims about the existence of a tunnel connecting the Assembly to the Red Fort were incorrect.
However, former CM and AAP leader Atishi rebutted, saying that the BJP government was avoiding core issues and wasting the taxpayers’ money by discussing such matters in the House.

Addressing the Assembly, Delhi minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said, “It was Ram Niwas Goel, the then Speaker of Delhi Assembly, who had called it an execution room. But it does not conform to the maps that we have found.”

He accused Kejriwal of spending “lakhs of rupees” on the structure’s renovation and “distorting history”.

The Minister said that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has confirmed that it was not a historical site. “Some official told Kejriwal that a ‘phansi-ghar’ existed here… he went ahead with the renovation without even consulting ASI or Delhi archives.”

The Speaker too slammed the previous AAP government, saying, “A plaque has been installed at the spot, bearing the date August 9, 1942. It was inaugurated as a tourist attraction with the claim that a gallows once existed at that spot. However, the truth is that no gallows ever existed there.”

He said that the room was actually a “tiffin room” and the wooden lift inside it was used for carrying food and other items, but it has been “incorrectly” described as a “gallows and trapdoor”.

Saying that it concerns the dignity of this entire institution, Gupta urged the Opposition to clarify its position on the issue. He also demanded an apology from the AAP chief.

In a statement, Atishi attacked the ruling party, “What is the point of discussion in the Assembly today? Running a session of the Delhi Assembly costs lakhs of rupees every hour. This is the hard-earned money of Delhi’s people — of taxpayers — money we earn through
our labour and give to the government.”

“And yet, you won’t allow a discussion on jhuggis, on schools, on the shortage of medicines in hospitals, or the worsening law and order situation. Instead, the only thing BJP wants to talk about is a ‘hanging room’?” she added.

The treasury and the Opposition benches were involved in the heated exchange when a delegation of British Parliament visited the Assembly on Tuesday.