Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Move Delhi High Court Against Privilege Committee Summons Over 'Phansi Ghar' Controversy

Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have moved the Delhi High Court challenging the summons issued to them by Delhi Legislative Assembly's Privilege Committee over the “phansi ghar” controversy.

Their petition will be heard tomorrow by Justice Sachin Datta.

Phansi Ghar was inaugurated by Kejriwal and Sisodia inside the Assembly complex on August 22, 2022, when they were serving as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively.

The plea challenges the notices issued by the Privileges Committee on September 09, as well as the summons calling Kejriwal and Sisodia to appear for “verifying the authenticity of faansi ghar”.

As per the petition, more than three years after the inauguration of the Phansi Ghar and several months after the dissolution of the 7th Assembly, the issue relating to authenticity of the structure was raised for the first time in the 8th Legislative Assembly of Delhi on August 05.

The petition submits that the 'Faansi Ghar' was installed as a symbolic memorial relating to the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, and that the inauguration were matters of public knowledge.

It further contends that the legislature may have powers to set up committees to inquire into matters to inform legislation or for public oversight, but the brick and mortar design and restoration in premises of the Delhi Legislative Assembly is neither to inform legislation nor for public oversight.

The petition adds that the Privileges Committee does not have the jurisdiction to examine authenticity of the historical facts which had been taken into account the previous incumbent Speaker and Deputy Speaker and to proceed against dignitary who attended the inauguration.

“Even though the Petitioners had replied to the notice dated 09.09.2025, the same has not been duly considered and the notice for sitting summons dated 04.11.2025 makes no reference to the objections or grounds raised by the petitioners in their respective replies,” the plea states.

The AAP leaders have argued that the proceedings suffer from lack of jurisdiction, procedural illegalities, constitutional infirmities, and colourable exercise of legislative power.

“They violate the fundamental rights of the Petitioners under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and are liable to be quashed,” it states.

Title: ARVIND KEJRIWAL & ANR v. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, NCT OF DELHI & ORS