Dhankhar orders probe after workers finds money from Rajya Sabha member’s seat throughout safety verify

The Rajya Sabha erupted in a row on Friday after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar mentioned that safety officers discovered ‘a wad of forex notes’ from the chair of a member of parliament.

Vice President Dhankar mentioned that the bundle of money was present in seat quantity 222 which is presently allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

“A wad of forex notes was recovered by the safety officers from seat quantity 222 which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana,” Dhankar mentioned as he ordered a probe into the matter.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says, “I right here by inform the members that throughout the routine anti-sabotage verify of the chamber after the adjournment of the Home yesterday. Apparently, a wad of forex notes was recovered by the safety officers from seat quantity… pic.twitter.com/42GMz5CbL7

— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2024

The RS chairman mentioned that the bundle of money seems to have 100 notes of Rs 500, including that it isn’t but clear whether or not the forex notes had been actual or faux.

‘Solely carry one Rs 500 be aware’

Singhvi, in the meantime, has denied the allegations levelled towards him, saying “it’s the first time he has heard of it”.

“I carry one Rs 500 be aware once I go to Rajya Sabha. I heard about this for the primary time. I reached the Home at 12:57 PM and the home rose at 1 PM, then I sat within the canteen until 1:30 PM after which I left the parliament,” he mentioned.

The Congress MP added that he stayed within the Home for simply three minutes and spent half-hour on the canteen.

“I discover it weird that politics is raised even on such points. After all, there should be an inquiry as to how folks can come and put something anyplace in any seat. It implies that every of us will need to have a seat the place the seat itself could be locked and the important thing could be carried residence by the MP as a result of all people can then do issues on the seat and make allegations about this,” he mentioned.

BJP reacts

The controversy has drawn the ire of the BJP with leaders calling it an “insult” to the integrity of the Rajya Sabha.

Congress President and LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge mentioned that the title of the member shouldn’t be named till the investigation is full. “You might be all legal professionals. How will you do that?” he mentioned.

To this Union Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned, “The Chairman has rightly identified the seat quantity and the member who occupies that specific seat quantity. What’s unsuitable with that? Why there ought to be an objection?”