The committee, which met for the first time on Wednesday, deliberated on this vital issue. Since rules do not permit a committee belonging to one House to summon a member of the other House of Parliament, the panel would approach Rajya Sabha chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari for assistance. As the committee has “no power” to summon Rajya Sabha members, Deo said the committee would make a request to Ansari through the Speaker.

Normally, such a committee is required to hand over the matter to the parallel committee of the other House. As the Deo committee has been set up specifically to look into the scam, its chairman can entrust the job to the Ethics Committee of the Upper House, whose nature is the closest to the work assigned to the panel. However, this particular case is much too complicated and it is doubtful if a parallel probe by another panel would be desirable.

“Even otherwise, it is going to be a tough call,” a veteran leader serving the committee told The Indian Express, pointing out that several points, ranging from technical details relating to phone calls, film footage to the source of money and evidence of the people concerned have to be covered. “It is impossible to come out with a report by August 11, the deadline set by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for the purpose,” they added. Though not as categorical, Deo said: “We are not going to waste time, but we would not hasten to give an incomplete report.”

The committee has summoned the three BJP MPs for recording their statements and evidence on August 4. The panel members would view the TV footage the same day.

Regarding the telecasting of the video tape, Deo said, “I have no power to withhold the tape or allow its screening. The TV channel is free to air (the CDs).”

Sources said the Speaker is yet to receive a formal request from the BJP for expanding the panel to include the representatives of four important groups in the Lok Sabha — Shiv Sena, NCP, CPI and BJD. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP deputy leader in the House and a member of the panel, told The Indian Express: “I spoke to the Speaker over the phone this morning to get an appointment to convey my party’s demand, but he was unable to meet me because of indifferent health. I will try to meet him tomorrow.”