Currency notes found on RS Telangana seat Congress MLA Dhankhar launches probe-Telangana Today

“I hereby inform members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the house after the adjournment of the House yesterday, apparently a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials at seat number 222 which is currently assigned to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected representative from Telangana State.

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said currency notes were recovered from the seat occupied by Congress member Abhishek Manu Singhvi and an investigation was underway.

“I hereby inform members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the House after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Apparently, a wad of currency notes was recovered by security officials from seat number 222, currently allotted to Telangana state assemblyman Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

He said the matter had been brought to his notice and he had ordered an investigation immediately. “I have ensured that an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” Dhankhar said.

The currency notes were found during the check conducted at MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s Rajya Sabha seat on Thursday.

After this revelation, chaos broke out in the Upper House with BJP members pointing fingers at Congress leaders. Union Minister JP Nadda said, “This incident is serious in nature. This undermines the dignity of the House…I have confidence in your decision that a thorough investigation will be conducted…”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “…As per routine protocol, the anti-sabotage team checked the seats just to close the proceedings and the House. During this procedure, the note was found and the seat numbers were deciphered and the members also signed that day. I don’t understand why there would be any objection to the chair not taking the member’s name.

As the opposition created hubbub in the House over the mention of the MP’s name, Rijiju continued that the Speaker had rightly pointed out the seat number and the MP occupying that seat number.

“What’s wrong with that?” Why should there be any objection?…Don’t you think that as we move towards digital India, it is appropriate to carry a bundle of notes into the House? We don’t have wads of cash in the House. I completely agree with the Chairman’s observation that there needs to be a serious investigation and the concerns raised by members are also very real.

The opposition, however, said it was a conspiracy by the BJP.

Reacting to this, Singhvi took to social media platform X and said, “I have never heard of this until now. I carry a Rs 500 note when I go to Rajya Sabha. I heard about it for the first time. I arrived at the House at 12:57 p.m. and the session adjourned at 1:00 p.m., then I stayed in the canteen until 1:30 p.m. and then I left Parliament.”