Jagdeep Dhankhar’s statement in the Rajya Sabha prompted strong protests from Congress MPs. Abhishek Manu Singhvi has denied the allegations.
In Short
- Rajya Sabha Chairperson claims cash found during routine checks
- Abhishek Manu Singhvi denies the allegations made by Jagdeep Dhankhar
- Congress MPs stage a protest in the Rajya Sabha
On Friday, Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that Rs 50,000 in cash was recovered by Parliament security from the seat assigned to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Dhankhar’s claim prompted protests from Congress MPs, with Mallikarjun Kharge insisting that names should not be mentioned before a proper investigation.
However, Abhishek Manu Singhvi denied the charges, stating, “I only carry a Rs 500 note when I come to the Rajya Sabha. I heard about this for the first time. I arrived at the House at 12:57 pm, and the House rose at 1 pm. After that, I sat in the canteen with Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad until 1:30 pm, then left Parliament,” said the senior advocate.
Singhvi, however, welcomed the investigation into the incident. He suggested, “This implies that each of us should have a seat that can be locked, with the key kept by the MP, as anyone could tamper with the seat and make such allegations.”
As soon as the Rajya Sabha proceedings began, Dhankhar addressed the House, stating that the wad of currency notes was found during routine checks by security officials.
“After the House was adjourned yesterday, security officials recovered a wad of currency notes from seat number 222, which is currently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi. An investigation will be conducted as per the law,” said the Rajya Sabha Chairperson.
This statement led to an immediate response from an irate Mallikarjun Kharge, who stood up and remarked, “You mentioned that this matter is under investigation. Until it is confirmed, his name should not be mentioned.” The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha added.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, defended the mention of the seat number and the MP’s name, stating, “What is wrong with pointing that out? Is carrying a bundle of notes in Parliament acceptable? There should be a proper investigation.”
BJP President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also supported the call for an investigation. “This is a very serious incident. It is an attack on the dignity of the House,” he remarked.
The incident quickly escalated into a flashpoint between the government and the opposition. “It’s disgusting to see how the BJP continues to disrupt the House. What are BJP MPs so afraid of that they don’t want Parliament to function? Ministers continue to protect just one industrialist. Are the people’s issues so insignificant?” said Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.
