New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking urgent clarification on the whereabouts and well-being of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned unexpectedly on July 21, citing health reasons.
Raut's letter, dated August 10, questions why there has been “no information” about Dhankhar since his resignation, amid growing speculation.
Have a look at his post here:
‘Appeared Normal’ Hours Before Quitting
In his letter, Raut recalled that Dhankhar presided over the Rajya Sabha’s Monsoon Session on the morning of July 21, “appearing normal” and even engaging in a verbal exchange with Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge before adjourning proceedings for the day. However, by 6:00 pm, news of his resignation was made public, a turn of events Raut described as “shocking”.
“What is his current location? How is his health? There is no clarity on these matters,” the MP wrote, adding that attempts by several Rajya Sabha members to contact Dhankhar had failed.
Possible Legal Action
Raut’s letter mentioned of circulating rumours that the former vice president has been “confined to his residence” and is “reportedly not safe”. The Shiv Sena leader added that some MPs are even contemplating filing a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court, though he had chosen first to seek answers from the home minister.
Independent MP Kapil Sibal also voiced alarm, quipping that he had “never heard of a ‘laapataa (missing) vice president’,” and insisting that the home ministry “must reveal” Dhankhar’s whereabouts.
Dhankhar, 74, resigned midway through his term, having assumed office in August 2022. His tenure was marked by frequent clashes with the Opposition, including an unprecedented but unsuccessful impeachment motion.
Raut ended his appeal to Shah with a request for “genuine information” about Dhankhar’s safety and health, stressing that the nation “deserves to know the truth”.
