Cash In Parliament? Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar Orders Probe After Notes Found Under Cong MP’s Seat

New Delhi: Investigation has been initiated after Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the House on Friday that during a routine anti-sabotage check, a wad of currency notes was found from the seat of Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

“I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Apparently, a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials from seat number 222 which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana. The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” Dhankar said in Rajya Sabha.

Abhishek Singhvi has denied the charges. “I just 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. Then, I sat in the canteen till 1.30 pm and then left Parliament,” the MP told on X
“This incident is of serious nature. It hurts the dignity of the House. Sir, I have faith in your ruling that a detailed investigation will be conducted….” said Union Minister JP Nadda in the House.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said, “I request that until the investigation is done and the authenticity of the incident is established, a member should not be named…”

Commenting on this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asked to why there should be objections to the fact that the Rajya Sabha Chairman had named the MP under whose seat the cash was found. “As per the routine protocol, the anti-sabotage team checked the seats just to wind up the proceedings and the house. During that procedure, the note was found and the seat numbers were deciphered and the members also signed that day. I don’t understand why there should be an objection that the Chair should not take the name of the member. The Chairman has rightly pointed out the seat number and the member who occupies that particular seat number. What is wrong with that?” he asked.