Sat Dec 07 02:42:43 UTC 2024: ## Cash Found Under Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s Seat Sparks Uproar
**New Delhi:** A bundle of 500 rupee notes found under the seat assigned to Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has triggered a major controversy in Parliament. Singhvi himself has expressed shock and described the incident as both serious and farcical.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar revealed on Friday that security personnel discovered the cash after Thursday’s session. The seat, number 222, is allocated to Singhvi. Dhankhar stated that an investigation is underway, as per regulations.
Singhvi clarified that he was only in the House for three minutes on Thursday, between 12:57 PM and 1:00 PM, before attending lunch with MP Ayodhya Prasad Reddy. He returned to the Supreme Court afterwards. He emphasized his presence in the Parliament complex was limited to approximately half an hour.
The discovery prompted immediate outrage from opposition members, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticizing Dhankhar for publicly naming Singhvi before the investigation concluded. Kharge’s objection led to further uproar, with accusations of the government trying to defame the opposition. Dhankhar countered by stating he only reported the location of the cash and the assigned seat.
Singhvi has called for improved security measures in the Rajya Sabha, suggesting a lock system for seats to prevent such incidents. He vehemently denied any knowledge of the cash. The incident has raised concerns about security protocols within Parliament and sparked a debate on the rules surrounding possession of cash within the premises. The investigation continues.
First Piper 