On Friday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar revealed that currency notes were recovered from the seat of Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi during a routine anti-sabotage check after the adjournment of the House on Thursday.
Dhankhar informed the House, “I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Security officials recovered a wad of currency notes from seat number 222, presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana.”
“The matter came to my attention, and I ordered a probe right away. I made sure an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” he added.
BJP Members Raise Concerns Over Discovery In Upper House
The discovery led to a heated exchange in the Upper House, with BJP members raising concerns about the seriousness of the issue.
Union Minister JP Nadda called the incident a ‘serious matter’. He further stated, “It hurts the dignity of the House. I have faith in your ruling that a detailed investigation will be conducted.”
“As per the routine protocol, the anti-sabotage team checked the seats just to wind up the proceedings and the House. During that procedure, officials found the note, deciphered the seat numbers, and had the members sign on that day. I don’t understand why there should be an objection that the Chair should not take the name of the member,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted.
As the opposition raised a commotion in the House over the mention of the MP’s name, Rijiju clarified that the Chairman had correctly identified the seat number and the member occupying it.
“What is wrong with that? Why there should be an objection? Don’t you think that while we are going towards digital India, carrying a bundle of notes in the House is appropriate? We don’t carry note bundles in the House. I fully agree with the observation of the Chairman that there must be a serious investigation and the concerns raised by the members are also very genuine,” he noted.
Opposition Accuses BJP Of Orchestrating Conspiracy
However, the Opposition accused the BJP of orchestrating a conspiracy.
Taking to X, Singhvi posted, “Heard of it first time now. Never heard of it till now! I carry one 500 rs note when I go to RS. First time heard of it. I reached inside house at 1257 pm yday and house rose at 1 pm; then I sat in canteen till 130 pm with Sh Ayodhya Rami Reddy then I left parl!”
Heard of it first time now. Never heard of it till now! I carry one 500 rs note when I go to RS. First time heard of it. I reached inside house at 1257 pm yday and house rose at 1 pm; then I sat in canteen till 130 pm with Sh Ayodhya Rami Reddy then I left parl!
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) December 6, 2024
Investigators are probing the incident, and they expect to reveal more details soon.
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