Sat Dec 07 03:09:50 UTC 2024: ## Rajya Sabha MP Denies Involvement in Cash-Found-in-Seat Controversy

**New Delhi:** A political firestorm erupted in the Rajya Sabha following the discovery of a wad of cash in the seat of Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The incident, revealed by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, sparked accusations and denials.

Singhvi vehemently denied any knowledge of the cash, found Thursday in seat number 222, his assigned seat. He stated that he was only in the Rajya Sabha for three minutes on Thursday, from 12:57 pm to 1:00 pm, before having lunch with a fellow MP and returning to court. He claims to have carried only a single 500 rupee note on his person.

Singhvi expressed astonishment at the allegations, calling them “amusing and absurd,” and demanded a thorough investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprit. He suggested implementing a system where each MP’s seat could be locked for better security.

The controversy has divided the political landscape. While Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Chairman for naming Singhvi before an investigation was complete, government leader J.P. Nadda accused the Opposition of selective outrage. Singhvi’s call for an investigation into potential security lapses has also added another layer to the developing situation. The incident raises serious questions about security protocols within the Rajya Sabha.

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