AAP's Bhagwant Mann To Probe Panel: 'Didn't Violate Security Protocol'

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Bhagwant Mann has told an inquiry committee of MPs that he didn't violate security protocol by live-streaming a video of Parliament and the "matter should be closed."

Mr Mann, in a five-page letter to the committee, said: "Many TV channels report from the parliament complex and if there is no violation by them, why have I been singled out?"

A committee of nine MPs reviewed the 12-minute film posted by Mr Mann on Facebook, which showed his ride through layers of security to reach the parliament building.

The committee also met with officers in charge of security in parliament.

Last week, virtually every party in both houses accused the AAP MP of compromising security with his video; some referenced the 2001 Parliament attack and said such videos would only encourage such attacks. Mr Mann was asked to stay away from parliament while the probe panel decided on action against him.

Mr Mann calls it an "educational video" for the people of his constituency in Punjab to get a first-hand account of how parliament functions.

The 42-year-old lawmaker, who is also a popular stand-up comedian, has controversially suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also compromised security by allowing Pakistani officers including members of its spy agency ISI to tour the Pathankot Air Force base, which was attacked by Pakistani terrorists in January.

While most members of the investigating committee are reportedly in favour of strict punishment for Mr Mann, he has received some support from the Trinamool Congress, which governs Bengal.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has reportedly asked the party's Ratna De to express that "Mann's intention was not dubious but a little amateurish."

AAP has said that Mr Mann is being targeted because of the party's surging popularity in Punjab ahead of its election.