Controversy Erupts In Rajya Sabha Over Recovery Of Currency Notes From Seat Allotted To Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi

A controversy erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Friday (6 December) after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced that a wad of currency notes was found on seat number 222, allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Dhankhar stated that the notes, which appeared to be of Rs 500 denominations, were discovered during a routine “anti-sabotage” security check conducted after the House adjourned on 5 December.

Reacting to the incident, Singhvi denied any knowledge of the matter and posted on X (formerly twitter), “Heard of it first time now. Never heard of it till now. I carry one Rs 500 note when I go to Rajya Sabha. I reached inside the House at 12.57 pm yesterday, and the House rose at 1 pm. Then I sat in the canteen till 1.30 pm with Ayodhya Rami Reddy, then I left Parliament.”

The Opposition, led by the Congress, protested Singhvi’s name being mentioned, calling for a proper investigation.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said, “After investigation only a conclusion should be arrived at. Before an investigation, the member should not have been named".

Chairman Dhankhar clarified that he could not confirm if the currency was genuine, stating, “I cannot determine if it is fake currency or not and an investigation will reveal the same.”

“We are only saying an investigation should be done. Why are they opposing it?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Leader of the House J P Nadda criticised the Opposition for selectively raising concerns.

“The Opposition is concerned about the House being disrupted only when the Treasury Benches raise an issue,” he said.

The incident has added to tensions in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session.

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