Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has cited a forensic science laboratory report stating that a video of Leader of Opposition Atishi making alleged derogatory remarks against a Sikh guru was not doctored. He announced plans to order a CBI probe amid disputes with Punjab Police's findings. AAP leaders have rejected the report, insisting it fails to address key aspects of the controversy.
On Saturday, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta presented a forensic science laboratory (FSL) report to reporters, affirming that the video in question showed no signs of tampering. The footage, from a January 6 session during the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly, captured remarks by Atishi during a discussion on the Delhi government's program marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Gupta stated, “The report clearly establishes that there has been no tampering with the audio and video recording of the House proceedings. The verbatim record and the audio-video are an exact match.” He expressed concerns over parallel investigations by the Punjab government, where AAP holds power, and announced he would direct a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to establish the truth and ensure accountability.
Earlier, Punjab Police had conducted their own forensic examination, claiming the video was doctored, and even registered a first information report (FIR) while the Assembly's process was ongoing. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta posted on X that the FSL report confirmed the video was "100% correct and was not tampered with."
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj dismissed the FSL findings, arguing it did not resolve whether Atishi uttered the word “gurus.” He claimed, “She (Atishi) did not utter the word ‘gurus’, but the report does not mention it… Punjab Police inquiry has also clearly established that Atishi didn’t use the word ‘guru’. Both reports make it clear that Kapil Mishra insulted gurus; BJP and Assembly Speaker should remove him.”
The controversy arose when BJP's Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra uploaded the video, alleging objectionable remarks by Atishi. Gupta criticized the Punjab actions as raising “grave questions about propriety, intent, and adherence to due process.”
