Cash Recovered From Rajya Sabha Near Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi's Seat, Chaos Ensues; Probe Ordered

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday claimed that cash was recovered by Parliament security officials from the seat assigned to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Dhankhar's statement during the House proceedings sparked protests from Congress MPs, with Mallikarjun Kharge stressing that names should not be mentioned before the investigation was complete.

Photo Credit: PTI

However, Abhishek Manu Singhvi denied the allegations, stating, "I only carry a Rs 500 note when I go to the Rajya Sabha. I heard about this for the first time. I reached the House at 12.57 pm and the House rose at 1 pm. I then sat in the canteen with Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad until 1.30 pm and left Parliament."

Singhvi, however, welcomed the investigation into the matter. "It means that each of us must have a seat where the seat itself can be locked, and the key can be carried home by the MP, because then anyone could do something on the seat and make allegations like this," he added.

During the proceedings, Dhankhar stated that the wad of notes was found during routine checks by security officials.

"During a routine check yesterday after adjournment of the House, a wad of currency notes was recovered by security officials from seat no 222, currently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi. An investigation will take place in accordance with the law," the Rajya Sabha Chairperson said.

Mallikarjun Kharge quickly stood up in response, saying, "You said that this matter is under investigation. Until it is authenticated, his name should not be mentioned."

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the mention of the seat number and MP's name, questioning, "What is wrong with that? Carrying a bundle of notes in Parliament is appropriate? There should be a proper investigation."

BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also supported the call for investigation, saying, "This is a very serious incident. This is an attack on the dignity of the House."

The issue became another point of contention between the government and opposition, with Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticising the BJP: "Disgusting to see how the BJP continues to disrupt the House. What scares the BJP MPs to a point of not wanting to run Parliament? The ministers continue to be the protectors of one industrialist. Are people's issues so irrelevant?"