Delhi Assembly Speaker Confirms Integrity of Forensic Analysis on AAP Leader's Statements
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has confirmed that forensic investigations have shown no tampering with the audio-video recordings related to AAP leader Atishi's statements. He announced plans to request a CBI investigation into parallel forensic activities conducted in Punjab, raising concerns about the legitimacy of those inquiries. Gupta emphasized that the forensic report from the Delhi Assembly aligns perfectly with the original recordings, while questioning the credibility of the parallel investigations. He highlighted the need for clarity on the procedures followed in Punjab and the implications of the interim court order issued in Jalandhar. This situation raises significant questions about the integrity of the forensic processes involved.
| Jan 17, 2026, 18:51 IST
Forensic Investigation Validates Assembly Proceedings
On Saturday, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta announced that forensic examinations have definitively shown that there was no tampering with the audio-video recordings of the proceedings concerning statements made by Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi. Gupta stated that he would instruct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the parallel and questionable forensic activities initiated outside Delhi.
During a press conference, Gupta highlighted that the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) established that the verbatim recording aligns perfectly with the audio-video footage of the assembly session. Presenting the report to the media, he remarked, "The FSL found no evidence of manipulation, tampering, or alteration in the audio or video. The recording is original and intact in every aspect."
The Speaker clarified that following the opposition's concerns, the assembly unanimously decided to send the recording for forensic examination. In line with that resolution, all relevant materials were forwarded to the forensic agency (FSL), where a detailed scientific analysis was conducted frame by frame, adhering to established procedures and legal standards. However, Gupta expressed serious concerns regarding subsequent developments, alleging that while the assembly-sanctioned forensic process was underway, parallel investigations were being conducted in Punjab. He noted that the forensic report from Punjab and the subsequent filing of an FIR raise significant questions about the legitimacy, intent, and adherence to proper procedures.
Citing an order issued by a court in Jalandhar, the Speaker emphasized that it was merely an interim order and not a final judgment on the facts or guilt. He pointed out that this order was based on a forensic report whose process, criteria, and chain of custody had neither been verified nor tested. He stated, "An interim order cannot be regarded as a decision nor can it be used as a political shield." Raising issues of natural justice, Gupta questioned who conducted the forensic investigation in Punjab, under whose jurisdiction the state laboratory operated, and whether it was under the control of the Punjab government. He noted that critical details regarding the source of the video, the equipment used, the methods of seizure, and the maintenance of the chain of custody were overlooked, which, according to him, undermines the credibility of the parallel process.