December 6, 2024 – A high-level probe has been ordered into the discovery of a wad of currency on the seat of Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha. The panel that will carry out the probe will include personnel from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, senior MPs and security agencies. All CCTV footage will be checked during the investigation.

According to the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha chairman, a cash bundle amounting to Rs 50,000 (comprising Rs 500 notes and probably Rs 100 notes) was found last evening during a routine anti-sabotage check which was carried out in the Rajya Sabha.  

These checks are conducted by security officials daily on the conclusion of Parliamentary sessions. Items left behind by MPs are often found and then deposited at the Lost and Found counter of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

"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 presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana," the Vice President told the MPs when the House recommenced this morning.

He, however, clarified that as of now there is no surety whether the notes are real or fake.

His announcement created quite an uproar in the Rajya Sabha treasury and Opposition benches with Congress leaders saying that the name of the member should not have been revealed until after the investigation.

Singhvi questioned the need to have politicised it and termed the discovery “bizarre.” In an online post, he wrote: "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 12:57 pm and house rose at 1 pm then I sat in canteen till 1:30 pm then I left parl (sic)."

With Media Inputs