Rajya Sabha: Dhankhar says cash recovered from Abhishek Manu Singhvi's seat, Congress MP denies

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "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."

He said carrying bundles of notes in the House is not appropriate, adding that he agrees there should be a serious investigation.

Uproar in Rajya Sabha from Opposition benches

The assertion triggered an uproar from the Opposition benches, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge saying the Chairman should not have named the member without the investigation being completed.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi reacts to allegations against him 

"Never heard of it till now. I carry one Rs 500 note when I go to Rajya Sabha. I heard about this for the first time. I reached the House at 12:57 pm and the house rose at 1:00 pm , then I sat in the canteen till 1:30 pm and then I left the parliament," said Congress MP and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Singhvi added, "I am quite astonished to even hear about it. I never heard of it. I reached the inside of the House yesterday at 12.57 pm. The House rose at 1 pm. From 1 to 1:30 pm, I sat in the canteen and had lunch. At 1:30 pm, I left Parliament. So my total stay in the House yesterday was 3 minutes and my stay in the canteen was 30 minutes. I find it bizarre that even on such issues politics is raised. Of course there must be an inquiry as to how people can come and put anything anywhere in any seat. 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 everybody can then do things on the seat and make allegations about this. If it was not tragic and serious it would be comical. I think everybody should cooperate in getting to the bottom of this and if there is a failing in the security agencies that must also be completely exposed."

The uproar was witnessed from both treasury and opposition benches over the issue. 

Congress demands JPC probe 

As per sources, Congress believes this (currency notes recovered from the bench of Abhishek Manu Singhvi) is a ploy to distract attention from the Adani issue. If somebody is carrying Rs 50,000 in the pocket is not a crime. Congress leaders have met with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhakhar and have requested to conduct an investigation into the matter by any agency or even form a JPC on it. 

Later, Rajya Sabha chairman ordered a high-level probe after a cash bundle was found on Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi's seat in the house.

It hurts the dignity of the House, says BJP chief JP Nadda 

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda said, "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."

"Why should there be an objection to the name being taken? Chairman has pointed out seat number and member who occupies that, what is the problem with that," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

Matter of investigation, says BJP MP Manoj Tiwari

On Rajya Sabha Chairman statement 'a wad of currency notes recovered from the bench of Abhishek Manu Singhvi', BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "A bundle of notes has been recovered from the bench. This is a matter of investigation. The Vice President of India has ordered an inquiry into the matter. I am surprised as to where the bundle of notes are being recovered from Congress leaders and this incident should be investigated."