Punjab rejects privilege claim over viral clip, urges Delhi Assembly to drop action
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, February 21, 2026: The Punjab Government’s Department of Home Affairs has informed the Delhi Legislative Assembly that a viral social media clip related to alleged remarks by Leader of Opposition Atishi is not part of the official Assembly proceedings and therefore does not attract legislative privilege.
In a formal communication dated February 20, the state government stated that a video clip that is cropped, selectively extracted, edited, or superimposed with captions and circulated independently on social media without authorization cannot be equated with the official record or authorized publication of the House.
It clarified that such altered content cannot be treated as the property of the House or as an authentic account of proceedings.
Punjab further asserted that legislative privilege under Article 194(3) of the Constitution provides functional protection for members within the House but does not grant immunity from criminal law for acts committed outside it. The government emphasized that registration of an FIR for a cognizable offence outside the House and the ongoing investigation do not constitute a breach of privilege. Noting that the matter is sub judice, Punjab has urged the Delhi Legislative Assembly to reconsider and close the proposed privilege proceedings.