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Filming of Parl security by AAP MP rocks both LS, RS
PTI
New Delhi
The controversial filming of Parliament security by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann rocked both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Friday, with lawmakers, mostly from the ruling NDA, demanding strong action against him and creating uproar which led to a washout of the proceedings.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who summoned Mann and obtained his “unconditional apology” termed it a “serious issue” and assured protesting members that some action would be taken.
Both Houses saw trouble from the start, with members mostly from NDA constituents Akali Dal, BJP and Shiv Sena, saying Mann had compromised the security of Parliament by making and uploading on social media the video film which showed the route, his access and protective arrangements.
They were joined by members of Congress and Left parties in demanding action against the Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha member from Sangrur in Punjab.
The uproar led to repeated adjournments of both Houses before Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day minutes after noon and Rajya Sabha at around 2.40 pm.
In the nearly 12-minute video, Mann is seen giving a running commentary as his vehicle crosses security barricades and enters Parliament. “I''ll show today something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying.
Mann then enters a room where questions to be taken up inside Parliament are being sorted and describes the process.
As soon as Lok Sabha met for the day, NDA members raised the issue, terming it as a security breach.
As Mann watched, Kirit Somaiya (BJP) demanded his disqualification as an MP while his party colleague R K Singh, a former Home Secretary, said the AAP member has put a question mark on the security of the sensitive complex. He demanded a breach of privilege motion be brought against Mann.
While NDA members were raising the issue from their benches, RJD and SP members rushed to the Well holding placards over quota, apparently expressing their anguish over delay in passage of a bill on reservation in promotions.
Amid din, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon. During the adjournment, Mann met her and apologised. When the House met again, Mahajan said, amid the din, that the matter was “serious” and under her consideration.
“Koi na koi karvayee karenge (we will take some action),” she said, adding that 13 people had laid down their lives for the security of Parliament, referring to the terror attack of December 13, 2001.
As uproar continued, she adjourned the House for the day.
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Mann video: MHA to suggest enhanced security
PTI
New Delhi
In the wake of a row over shooting of a video of the high-security Parliament House by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann, the Home Ministry is likely to suggest upgrading the electronic security system for vehicles and individuals, including parliamentarians.
Concerned over Mann shooting the controversial video, which allegedly exposed the security apparatus in the complex, the Home Ministry is likely to suggest upgrading of Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in the Parliament complex.
The UVSS delivers the full picture of a vehicle's entire width and length and the RFID identifies and tracks tags attached to objects and individuals.
“There is a need for complete overhaul of the security system in the Parliament complex on a priority basis,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
There is a feeling in the security establishment that the AAP MP allegedly exposed the security apparatus set up right from the Vijay Chowk, opposite Parliament, till the main gate of the building.
Mann had showed in the video how many layers of security a car with MP tag passes through from Vijay Chowk to the main entrance of the building. “Mann's video a gives clear view of the way till the main entrance,” the official said.
In the video, the positions of Parliament security men, Quick Reaction Teams, UVSS and how long it takes a vehicle to reach the destination etc, are clearly shown, the official said.
Two years ago, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had set up a committee headed by former Union Home Secretary and MP from Bihar R K Singh to look into the security of Parliament complex.
The committee had Satyapal Singh, MP from Uttar Pradesh and formerly Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Harish Chandra Meena, MP from Rajasthan and formerly the state's DGP, as its member.
In its report, the committee had found gaps in the system put in place for the protection of the sensitive complex, with nearly 100 of the 450 CCTV cameras not functioning, besides other lacunae.
The report, submitted to Mahajan with a copy marked to the Home Ministry, had suggested enhanced security at 12 gates in the Parliament complex.
Mann apologises to Speaker
PTI
New Delhi
Amid an uproar, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann Friday gave an unconditional apology over his video filming of the Parliament security as he was summoned by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan who will consult political parties for “appropriate action” into the “too serious” matter.
Mann was pulled up up by the Speaker when he appeared before her at 11.10 am, sources in her office said.
As the issue rocked both Houses of Parliament with MPs demanding strong action against him, the Lok Sabha member from Sangrur said he had made the “mistake inadvertently” and that he had no intention of compromising the security of Parliament.
In his apology letter submitted to the Speaker, Mann said when he was coming to the House to attend Zero Hour, he had made the video by mistake as “I did not know that it is against the rules.” Contending that he had no intention of compromising the security of Parliament, he said, “I apologise unconditionally. I will not repeat it in future.”
The Speaker, however, was not impressed by his apology, saying it was a matter “too serious” considering that Parliament has been attacked by terrorists once.
Mahajan later told reporters that if it had been a matter concerning the proceedings inside the House, she would have taken action immediately. However, since it is a matter relating to the Parliament complex, she would consult political parties for “appropriate action.”
She said this matter is above ethics or privilege as it concerns the security of Parliament and MPs who are the representatives of the people.
Sources said the Speaker saw the controversial video film last evening and was shocked, wondering if every MP indulges in such an act, how then the dignity of Parliament could be maintained. The 31-storey scam-tainted Adarsh apartments, built at Colaba in posh South Mumbai locality for Kargil war heros and war widows, will not be demolished for the time being with the Supreme Court Friday asking the Centre to secure it after taking its possession from the housing society by
Before Mahajan came to the House, a number of MPs from Akali Dal, BJP and Shiv Sena met her and demanded action against Mann, the sources said.
After her meeting with Mann, the Speaker held consultations with Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai and some other leaders to take suggestions on the
matter.
She also sought details about the protective arrangements from a Parliamentary Committee looking after security of the complex.
A number of members in Lok Sabha, including those from Akali Dal, BJP and Shiv Sena had given notices for Adjournment Motion to discuss the issue.
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar over the issue, with MPs demanding strong action against Mann, saying he had compromised the security
of Parliament.
Due to the uproar, both Houses could not transact any business and had to be adjourned for the day prematurely.
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Second lead
Dayashankar's family files FIR against Mayawati, BSP leaders
PTI
Lucknow
The family of expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh Friday lodged a named FIR against Mayawati and some other BSP leaders for allegedly using foul language against them during their public protest here.
Tetra Devi, the mother of Dayashankar who had sparked a controversy by his derogatory comments questioning the character of Mayawati, filed a complaint against the BSP leaders for raising “derogatory” slogans at the party protest in Lucknow Thursday, police said.
On the basis of the complaint, an FIR was lodged against BSP chief Mayawati, state unit president Ram Achal Rajbhar, national general secretary Naseemuddin and national secretary Mevalal besides unknown workers, police said.
The FIR has been registered under sections 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 504 (intentional insult with intent to breach peace), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act to insult modesty of
woman) of the IPC, police said.
“We will now demand the arrest of BSP leaders who had crossed all limits in abusing and degrading women members of the family,” Dayashankar's family said.
An FIR was filed against Dayashankar Singh two days ago on the basis of a complaint filed by Mevalal.
He had said that “Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like a...
Earlier in the day Tetra Devi met the Hazratganj Police and submitted the complaint that she, her daughter, daughter-in-law and grand daughter were abused by BSP men who allegedly raised derogatory slogans during the protest.
“There was an attempt to instigate violence and riot during the protest by highlighting differences on caste lines,” she alleged in the complaint, adding that slogans at the protest amounted to outraging the modesty of a woman.
She said after the sloganeering during the protest, Singh's 12-year-old daughter was in shock.
She also alleged that there appears to be a conspiracy to eliminate her son.
Singh's family demanded that the BSP leaders be booked under more stringent provisions as they had allegedly abused a minor with their choice of words.
Singh's wife Swati Singh had earlier said, “My husband is in politics, but we have no political connection but BSP workers have abused all women of the family in a public protest.
Swati had alleged that her family was being dragged into the controversy unnecessarily.
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SC asks Centre to take possession and secure Adarsh apartments
PTI
New Delhi
August five.
On being persisted by the Adarsh Housing Society that the Bombay High Court decision ordering demolition be stayed, a bench comprising Justices J Chelemeswar and A M Sapre said that the word “secure” meant that there will be no razing.
“We will secure the building and the land and there will be no demolition,” Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, assured the bench which also issued notices on a batch of pleas, filed against the High Court order, by the housing society and some allottees.
“Issue notice. There shall be no interim order... except the fact that the Government of India will take possession of the building in question and secure it within one week from today,” said the bench and later extended time till August 5 saying the possession be handed over on or before the
date fixed.
It asked the Registrar General of the Bomay High Court to ensure that either he or other Registrar, nominated by him, supervises the handing over of the possession of the building.
Simultaneously, an inventory of documents of the Housing Society pertaining to the apartments be prepared and be handed over to the housing society to enable him to pursue its legal battles in various courts of law, the bench said.
Earlier, the High Court had ordered demolition of the apartments and had sought initiation of criminal proceedings against politicians and bureaucrats for “misuse” of powers, holding that the tower was illegally constructed.
During hearing senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for the society, Friday pleaded for the stay on the High Court order saying that at present, the building is “un-inhabitable” as the water and electricity supply have been cut.
“I am willing to argue it out today itself and would show as to where the High Court has gone wrong,” he said, adding that the case may be heard next Tuesday.
“We are sorry. The case will be heard on its turn. It will have to wait for final hearing,” the bench said, adding that it will not allow the Housing Society to “handle” the affairs of apartments.
