Rajya Sabha Chairman Announces Probe After Cash Found in Singhvi’s Seat, MP Calls It ‘Bizarre’; BJP and Congress Lock Horns

​Chaos unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Friday when a bundle of currency notes was allegedly discovered from the seat assigned to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, informed the House that the cash was found during a routine anti-sabotage check. Singhvi denied any involvement, calling the situation "bizarre." The matter has been handed over for investigation.

“I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday, a wad of currency notes was recovered by security officials from seat number 222, which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana. The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” said Dhankar.

Dhankhar further clarified that the wad of currency notes consisted of ₹500 bills, with approximately 100 notes. He added that it was not yet clear whether the notes were real or counterfeit.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge weighed in on the matter. He expressed no objection to the probe but criticized Dhankhar for naming Singhvi before the investigation was completed. “I request that until the investigation is done and the authenticity of the incident is established, a member should not be named,” Kharge said.

BJP leaders, however, supported Dhankhar’s statement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned why there was an objection to naming the MP, arguing that the Chairman had simply pointed out the seat number and the member who occupies it. “Why should there be an objection to the name being taken? The Chairman has pointed out the seat number and member who occupies that, what is the problem with that?” said Rijiju. “Carrying bundles of notes in the House is not appropriate. I agree there should be a serious investigation,” he added.

BJP chief JP Nadda condemned the incident, calling it an “insult” to the Rajya Sabha’s integrity. BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi suggested that the Chairman had expected someone to claim the money but raised the matter when no one did.

In response to the discovery, Singhvi strongly denied any involvement, calling the situation “bizarre.” He provided a detailed account of his brief time in Parliament the previous day, saying, “I reached inside the House at 12:57 pm, and the House rose at 1 pm. Then, I sat in the canteen till 1:30 pm and left Parliament. I spent a total of 3 minutes in the House and 30 minutes in the canteen. I carry only ₹500 to Rajya Sabha.”

Singhvi further commented, “I have heard of this for the first time now. Never heard of it till now! It’s bizarre to make politics over such issues. Of course, there must be an inquiry into how people can come and put anything anywhere in any seat. It means each of us must have a seat that can be locked, and the key carried home by the MP because everyone can then do things on the seat and make allegations.”​​​