The vice president said that the currency notes were found under the seat allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber.
Published Dec 06, 2024 | 12:36 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 06, 2024 | 12:36 PM
Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday, 6 December, said a wad of currency notes was recovered from under seat number 222 of the upper House on the previous day and that an investigation is underway.
The vice president said that the currency notes were found under the seat allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber.
Singhvi, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Telangana, for the 2024-2026 term, said he was unaware of the incident and said it did not belong to him.
During the Rajya Sabha session on Friday, Dhankar informed the House of the development from Thursday.
“I inform you that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber, after the adjournment of the house yesterday, a bundle of currency notes was recovered by security officials from seat number 222, currently allotted to Sri Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from Telangana for the 2024-2026 term,” Dhankar said.
“The matter was brought to my attention, and I deemed it necessary, as per practice and protocol, to ensure an investigation is conducted in accordance with the law, which is currently underway,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Singhvi said he carries only a single ₹500 note while attending Rajya Sabha sessions and was unaware of the current issue.
“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!,” the former Additional Solicitors General said.
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
“I am quite astonished to even hear about it. Yesterday, I reached inside the House at 12.57 in the afternoon. House adjourned at 1 pm. From 1 pm to 1.30 pm, I sat with Ayodhya Prasad in the canteen and had lunch. At 1.30 pm, I left Parliament. So, my total stay in the House was three minutes and 30 minutes in the canteen yesterday. I find it bizarre that even on such an issue politics is raised,” the Congress Rajya Sabha MP said.
“Of course, there should be an inquiry about how people can come inside and put anything anywhere; on any seat. There should be a system where the seat could be locked and keys could be taken home by the MP,” he said.
He also called for cooperation from everyone and requested an inquiry to determine if there had been any lapse on the part of the security personnel.
My short statement in English to some journalists. pic.twitter.com/k0i4KukJMw
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) December 6, 2024
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
