December 6, 2024: A controversy erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Friday after Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar announced that a wad of cash had been recovered from the seat allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The claim, made during the proceedings of the Upper House, led to protests from Congress MPs, including Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who demanded that Singhvi’s name not be mentioned until the investigation was completed.

According to Dhankhar, the cash was discovered during routine security checks in Parliament after the House had been adjourned. "A wad of currency notes was recovered by security officials from seat number 222, presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi," Dhankhar said. "An investigation will take place in accordance with the law," he added.

Singhvi, a senior Congress leader and renowned lawyer, vehemently denied the charges, asserting that he was unaware of any such recovery. "I carry only a Rs 500 note with me when I go to the Rajya Sabha," Singhvi said in a statement. "I reached the House at 12:57 pm, and the House rose at 1 pm. After that, I sat in the canteen till 1:30 pm with Awadhesh Prasad, MP from Ayodhya, before leaving Parliament. I have never seen the cash that has been mentioned."

However, Singhvi welcomed the probe, suggesting that such incidents underscored the need for more stringent security measures in Parliament. "It means each MP should have a seat that can be locked, with the key carried home, to prevent such allegations," he added.

The disclosure by Dhankhar sparked a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha, with Congress MPs protesting the mention of Singhvi’s name before any formal investigation had been completed. Kharge, speaking on behalf of the party, demanded that the MP’s name should not have been linked to the incident prematurely. "Until the matter is authenticated, his name should not be mentioned," Kharge said, expressing concern over the rush to implicate Singhvi.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Chairperson’s remarks, stating that it was appropriate to identify the seat number and the name of the MP involved. "What is wrong with pointing out the seat number and the name of the MP? Carrying a bundle of notes in Parliament is inappropriate, and there should be a proper investigation," Rijiju said.

BJP president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also called the incident "very serious," asserting that it was an affront to the dignity of the House. "This is an attack on the dignity of Parliament," Nadda said, joining the call for a thorough inquiry.

As the day unfolded, the incident became a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between the ruling government and the opposition. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), criticized the BJP for disrupting the House and alleged that the government was more interested in protecting its industrialist allies than addressing the pressing issues of the people. "Disgusting to see how the BJP continues to disrupt the House. What scares the BJP MPs to a point of not wanting to run Parliament?" Chaturvedi remarked.

The discovery of cash in the Parliament complex, especially under such mysterious circumstances, has further fueled the already tense political climate in India, with both sides digging in for what promises to be an intense debate as the investigation unfolds.