NEW DELHI, March 25 � Amidst interruptions, CPI-M MPs today made vain attempts to raise the issue of a Rajya Sabha MP caught carrying cash at the airport yesterday. The Trinamool Congress MP was caught while carrying cash to Assam.
Soon after the Rajya Sabha assembled for business this morning, Sitaram Yechury sought the permission of the Chair allow him to raise a very serious issue about a Member of the House, who was caught with Rs. 57 lakh on the eve of elections.
Yechury was soon joined by his Left colleagues, even as the Deputy Chairman, who was on the chair refused permission, pointing out that proper notices have not been issued. �I cannot allow it because it is a violation of his fundamental right,� the Deputy Chairman said.
Joining the discussion, Brinda Karat said a Trinamool Congress MP, a defector MP is caught with Rs 57 lakh. �How is it possible? We are not taking the member�s name. We are taking the party�s name. Who is sending that money to buy votes in Assam?� she asked.
Karat later told newsmen that that her party has demanded that the government should take notice of this and file a criminal case against him and take required action.
�This is the immorality of Trinamool. If they can do it in Assam, where they have no presence, you can imagine what they are going to be doing in Bengal. It is a shameful thing that has happened,� she said.
According to reports, Kanwar Deep Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand and owner of Alchemist Group, was stopped at the IGI Airport yesterday after CISF officials found that he was carrying a large amount of money. He was on his way to Guwahati.
The CISF officials informed Air Intelligence Unit of the Income Tax department, who found that he was carrying Rs 57 lakh. He was accompanied by seven others on a private plane.
Sources said Singh was allowed to go after questioning, after he informed the officials that the money belonged to his company.
Airport officials have stepped up checking after the Bureau of Civil Aviation has instructed them to keep a strict vigil on movement of cash in view of the upcoming Assembly elections, following a direction of the Election Commission.
The Alchemist Group comprises 11 companies in various sectors such as food processing, health care, hospitality, food and beverages, steel, real estate and infrastructure development.
