Parliament Winter Session: As per reports, cash was recovered during the checking from Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s seat in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (December 5). The wad of currency notes was recovered from seat number 222 by the security officials yesterday.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “I here by 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.”
Abhishek 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.”
‘It hurts dignity of House’: JP Nadda
Union Minister 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.”
Matter of investigation: 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.”