Lok Sabha panel to consult experts on Mann issue

The Lok Sabha panel probing the issue regarding AAP MP Bhagwant Mann shooting a video of the Parliament complex would consult experts before deciding on the matter.
"The committee has given him four opportunities to explain but contradictions were found in his stand. The committee is taking a serious view of it," Lok Sabha panel head Kirit Somaya said outside Parliament.
On the request of Somaya, the Lok Sabha Speaker today granted two more weeks to the panel probing the issue regarding Mann shooting a video of the Parliament complex and asked the AAP member not to attend the House till a decision was taken on the matter.

"We also want to consult a few experts to suggest measures so that such an incident does not occur in future," Somaya said.
Asked what maximum punishment can be given if Mann does not change his stand, he said the Speaker today gave two weeks more and "we will start the exercise of what could be done".
On whether the committee would be able to submit the report before the conclusion of the monsoon session on August 12, Somaya said, "We think we would be able to do so."

The nine-member committee, set up on July 25, was to submit its report by August 3.

On August 1, a defiant Mann told the panel that he has not breached the security of Parliament complex. Last week, in a five-page letter, Mann had refused to tender an unqualified apology.
Besides Somaiya, the panel has two other BJP members -- Meenakshi Lekhi and Satyapal Singh. The others are Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena), B Mahtab (BJD), Ratna De (TMC), Thota Narasimham (TDP), K C Venugopal (Cong) and P Venugopal (AIADMK).